Africa-Press – Uganda. The Bank of Uganda (BoU) Governor, Michael Atingi-Ego, has weighed in on mounting public concern over alleged mobile money fraud, following days of intense criticism of Airtel Uganda on social media.
The controversy erupted after X (formerly Twitter) was flooded with complaints from users claiming their Airtel Money accounts had been accessed without consent, with some alleging that loans were taken out in their names.
This week, prominent cartoonist Dr Jimmy Spire Ssentongo amplified the outcry after revealing on X that his brother’s phone had been stolen and, shortly afterwards, money was withdrawn from his Airtel Money account without his knowledge.
He further alleged that a loan had been obtained in his brother’s name.
His post prompted a wave of similar stories from other users, igniting a heated online debate and placing Airtel Uganda under pressure to respond.
In a public notice, Governor Atingi-Ego urged victims of suspected fraud to first report to their service provider, and if unsatisfied, escalate the matter to BoU.
“If you are not satisfied with their response, escalate it to the Bank of Uganda, especially if it concerns mobile money operations,” he said.
He stressed that the central bank was “not aware of any unresolved complaints raised through the proper channels” but encouraged the public to submit cases to the Director of Communications and Public Relations or the Director of National Payments Systems via BoU’s website.
“Your concerns matter, and we take them seriously,” he added.
Airtel Denial
In a statement issued on Monday, Airtel Uganda dismissed the accusations, saying:
“Airtel Money is safe and secure. The said allegations are misleading, unwarranted, and calculated, for reasons best known to the author(s), to create needless worry or panic. We implore our customers and the wider public to disregard and ignore these exaggerated atements.”
The company advised customers to report complaints through official channels and responded to traders’ concerns over payment reversals, explaining that funds in such disputes are frozen until a valid court order is received.
This is not the first time mobile money fraud has stirred public debate in Uganda.
Past scams have included SIM card swaps, phishing messages, fake calls, and exploitation of stolen phones with unsecured mobile money apps.
In some instances, syndicates are suspected to involve insiders at telecoms or agent points, making detection harder.
Telecoms have since introduced tighter verification processes and transaction alerts, but high-profile cases continue to test public trust in mobile money systems.
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