'Report mobile money fraud to central bank if telecom fails to address it'

KAMPALA - Bank of Uganda (BOU) governor Michael Atingi-Ego has urged the public to report mobile money fraud-related cases to the central bank it the telecom company fails to address the concern. 

Atingi-Ego on August 14, 2025, said through BOU's X, formerly Twitter account, that currently, they are not aware of any unresolved complaints of mobile money thefts raised through the proper channels.

The proper channels to resolve mobile money thefts include reporting the matter to the mobile money service provider, and if not satisfied, this should be escalated to the BOU.

He also guided that the complaints should be directed to the director of communications and public relations and the director of National Payments Systems.

His call follows increasing complaints of mobile money fraud that prompted members of the public, like Dr Jim Spire Sentongo, mobilising social media users to share their experience of mobile money theft.

From the complaints shared on his X handle, some people reported los of up to shillings nine million in mobile money fraud. 

Other complaints include reversing money sent to the wrong number, another client lost 506,000 due to technical issues, which the agent has never returned, among other complaints.