By Mulengera reporters
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Bank of Uganda (BoU) have convened a multi-sectoral workshop to confront the growing threat of fraud in Uganda’s digital financial services (DFS) sector.
Held on Thursday in Kampala, the workshop brought together players from across the financial and telecommunications ecosystems, ranging from mobile network operators and banks to law enforcement and consumer protection agencies.
The meeting is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Uganda’s regulatory defences and ensure digital finance remains a secure tool for economic inclusion.
With digital financial services now reaching millions of Ugandans, particularly in rural and underserved areas, UCC says this platform is not just a dialogue, but a strategic checkpoint to assess progress and forge stronger partnerships against fraud.
Julianne Mweheire, UCC’s Director of Economic Regulation, Content and Consumer Affairs, emphasised that DFS has become a lifeline for many, especially those without access to traditional banking services.
She credited UCC’s proactive regulatory framework (particularly its licensing of mobile operators and the enforcement of SIM card registration policies) for helping anchor financial services in a secure and accessible ecosystem.
“Our regulatory support enabled the rollout and expansion of mobile money, which today reaches more Ugandans than conventional bank accounts. The SIM card Know Your Customer process has further bolstered transaction integrity, allowing users to engage with digital finance on a trusted network,” Mweheire said.
But while growth in DFS has brought convenience and opportunity, it has also attracted fraudsters who are exploiting system loopholes and unsuspecting users. The workshop comes at a critical time, as cases of mobile money scams, SIM swaps, and digital impersonation continue to rise.
“We are not here to merely discuss the problem. We are here to build stronger frameworks, use smarter technology, and educate users so they don’t fall prey to evolving scams,” added.
The forum served as a follow-up to last year’s stakeholder engagement, offering a chance to review how fraud tactics have shifted and what new tools or strategies can be deployed in response.
UCC reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Bank of Uganda and other key players in building a resilient digital economy.
“As regulators, we must stay a step ahead. That means staying alert, staying engaged, and working together. The safety of Uganda’s digital economy depends on it,” Mweheire said.
With more Ugandans choosing mobile wallets over bank branches, stakeholders agree that this joint effort between UCC and BoU is timely, necessary, and a major step toward building public trust in the country’s fast-changing financial landscape.
