Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has ordered the Bank of Uganda to look into the reports of digital bank fraud that have recently alarmed Ugandans, many of whom claim their monies have been withdrawn from their accounts without their knowledge.
On Thursday, Kasambya County MP David Kabanda raised the issue in Parliament during Nabbanja’s Question Time in a plenary session.
Additionally, Nabbanja has requested that the Finance Minister make a statement regarding the issue that could undermine public trust in the banking system.
“I’ve seen similar media reports where a person recorded themselves at Equity Bank. And he was racing up and down, but the bank officers were unconcerned. Even this morning, I saw these Kadamas (Ugandans working overseas); she had been out of the country in the UAE, had saved $100 million with Centenary Bank, and reported the money was withdrawn by unknown persons. The Bank of Uganda should look into these allegations,” Nabbanja stated.
Gen David Muhoozi, the state’s minister of internal affairs, has urged anyone who has fallen victim to such fraud to report the incidents to the police so that comprehensive investigations may be conducted.
The Prime Minister’s request for further investigation into the digital banking fraud reports comes at a time when cybercrime is on the rise in Uganda, with recent reports indicating that the country loses over $81 million every year to cybercrime. As such, it is essential that the Bank of Uganda take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of digital banking users in the country.
