Airtel Uganda, UCC, BoU warn public on rising mobile scams

KAMPALA, UGANDA — Telecom giant Airtel Uganda, in collaboration with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Bank of Uganda (BoU), has issued an urgent warning to Ugandans about the significant increase in mobile scams, urging heightened vigilance.

The warning follows a recent X (formerly Twitter) Space discussion hosted by Airtel Uganda, themed “Scam Follows Spam: What Needs to Be Done to Protect Uganda’s Digital Ecosystem.” During the discussion, representatives from UCC and the Bank of Uganda voiced concerns over the escalating threats of spam, scams, and mobile money fraud.

Uganda’s digital landscape is rapidly expanding, with over 50 million mobile phone users, 32 million active mobile money wallets, and 19.5 million internet subscribers. This growth, however, has been mirrored by a sharp rise in cybercrime. The Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report of 2024 revealed a staggering 200% increase in fraud and cyber-related crimes, underscoring the critical need for enhanced digital security measures.

Kenneth Tweheyo, Manager of Consumer Affairs at UCC, highlighted how fraudsters are exploiting the country’s rapid adoption of smartphones and digital transactions. “Scammers are getting smarter,” Tweheyo warned. “They send fake job offers, lottery wins, and even impersonate banks. Many victims end up losing money simply by clicking malicious links or sharing personal details.” He added that while the internet offers vast opportunities, it also presents a growing risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.

Albert Ntege, Head of Licensing at BoU, echoed these concerns, noting that although digital payments have boosted financial inclusion, they have also created new avenues for fraud. “We’ve strengthened our oversight of fintechs,” Ntege stated, “but end-users must also take precautions to protect themselves.”

Earlier this year, Airtel Africa introduced a new AI-driven Spam Alert System that automatically identifies and filters suspicious messages before they reach users. David Birungi, PR Manager at Airtel Uganda, explained that this innovation demonstrates a growing industry commitment to combat fraud and scams across Africa and within Uganda. Birungi also stressed that Airtel, beyond its licenses from UCC and BoU, relies on a “social license” rooted in public trust to deliver financial and digital services to millions of Ugandans.

This approach emphasizes that technology alone isn’t sufficient. Building user confidence across all age groups, particularly in a country with varying levels of digital literacy, is crucial for fostering a safe and inclusive digital ecosystem. The Airtel Spam Alert Service, boasting a 99.7% detection rate, is currently blocking over 50,000 scam attempts daily.

“We’ve seen far too many people lose their hard-earned money simply by responding to spam messages. That’s why public education is key; people need to understand that a SIM card is more than just a communication tool, it’s a gateway to financial and personal data,” Birungi emphasized. “Through our AI-powered Spam Alert system, we’re using technology to scan and analyze incoming messages, flagging suspicious content in real time to keep our customers safe.”

Practical Tips to Stay Safe

As part of their joint campaign, Airtel, UCC, and BoU have shared vital tips for users to protect themselves from fraud:

From Airtel Uganda:

• Never share your mobile money PIN via call, SMS, or messaging apps like WhatsApp.
• Ignore unsolicited job offers or suspicious promotional messages.
• Report suspicious numbers directly to Airtel or UCC for investigation.

From UCC and BoU:

• Activate UCC’s 196# Do-Not-Disturb service to block spam calls and texts.
• Verify unexpected messages, even those appearing to come from banks or familiar companies.
• Use strong, unique PINs for mobile money and avoid storing them on your device.

As Uganda’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, collaboration among telecom providers, regulators, and consumers will be essential to staying ahead of cyber threats. While tools like Airtel’s AI spam filter are significant advancements, experts agree that public awareness and caution are equally crucial.

“Scammers thrive on deception; don’t give them the chance,” Birungi concluded. “Stay alert, question strange messages, and help spread the word to protect others.”