The Bank of Uganda has been plunged into a fresh scandal after hackers made off with UGX 60 billion (approximately $16 million USD) from the bank’s systems.
The hacking incident, which is believed to have occurred recently, has raised serious questions about the security measures in place at the central bank.
“It is true, President Museveni instructed the Auditor General to investigate the matter,” a source close to the matter told CNN. “The Auditor General will establish the amount of money lost in the hacking and then police will follow up on where there is criminal liability.”
The Bank of Uganda has yet to comment on the heist, but sources say the investigation is in high gear, with top officials to be questioned by police and the Auditor General.
The central bank has faced scandals in recent years, including the theft of old currency notes by its officials. In a notable case, Charles Kasede Ochieng, former Head of Verification, was sentenced to three years in prison for abusing his position to steal old currency notes meant for destruction.
The latest scandal has raised concerns about the bank’s ability to protect its systems and the potential implications for the country’s economy.
The Bank of Uganda has been without a governor since Emmanuel Mutebile’s death in January 2022.
