Uganda’s digital revolution is under siege, and cyber security could be the difference between growth and chaos.
From stolen mobile money to AI-driven scams, citizens are losing not just funds but trust in online services. MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge warns that without urgent action, the country’s booming digital economy could stall.
Writing in the Daily Monitor after recently attending the 5th CEO Cyber security Breakfast in Kampala, Mulinge sounded the alarm on the growing sophistication of online scams targeting Ugandans, from fraudulent PIN requests to AI-powered impersonations.
“Cybercrime is not a future threat. It’s a present crisis. And if we don’t address it head-on, we risk stalling the very progress we have worked so hard to achieve,” she said.
Mulinge argued that the country’s digital economy, from mobile money to fintech, is too critical to be left exposed.
“One breach in a mobile money platform can affect millions of people. And once trust in digital systems is lost, it’s incredibly difficult to regain,” she warned.
The MTN Uganda CEO called for stronger collaboration between government, telecoms, banks, startups, and regulators, alongside urgent investment in local cybersecurity talent.
The hard-hitting article has drawn strong responses from industry leaders and stakeholders, such as the respected Waswa Moses, CEO at Swift Minds, who praised MTN Uganda’s stance.
“Security is the cornerstone for trust for any digital services and it is never a one-stop solution. The needs and demands keep evolving with the ever-changing landscape. Well done to Sylvia Mulinge and your team at MTN Uganda for being part of this crucial conversation,” he said
Echoing a similar sentiment, Solomon Ngoma, executive director at the Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre in Zambia, emphasised the implications of cyber security breaches to the region.
“Trust is indeed the cornerstone of our digital lives, and security is the foundation upon which that trust is built. By prioritising cybersecurity, we are not just safeguarding data and systems, but also protecting the integrity of our digital economy. It’s a collective responsibility that requires ongoing investment, innovation, and collaboration,” he stated.
With Uganda rolling out 5G, expanding fintech, and digitising public services, Mulinge underlined that cybersecurity must not be treated as an afterthought but as the very backbone of Uganda’s digital future.
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