03 October 2024

Mobile phone scams persist in Uganda, despite efforts by authorities to tackle them, reports ICT and National Orientation Minister Chris Baryomunsi, who has now opened an investigation targeting telecommunications companies, with the threat of severe sanctions.

“I have spoken to the telecom operators, who assure me that only authorised numbers are active, but the facts seem to prove otherwise. It is clear that unregistered SIM cards are still in circulation, perhaps in the name of deceased persons. I am committed to further discussions with these companies,” said Baryomunsi.

The move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to address mobile subscriber identification issues. Since 2018, a campaign by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has led to the deactivation of 1.4 million irregularly registered SIM cards. The move comes as a wave of fraudulent messages targeting citizens, including officials, has intensified in the country. Most messages solicit large sums of money in exchange for services in various constituencies.

The aim of this new investigation is to combat these persistent criminal activities more effectively.