The Bank of Uganda is investigating claims that offshore hackers stole 62 billion Ugandan shillings ($16.8 million) from its systems earlier this month. The central bank stated it is awaiting a police report on the incident, which it neither confirmed nor denied.
According to Uganda’s New Vision, a hacking group named “Waste,” allegedly based in Southeast Asia, breached the bank’s IT systems and transferred the funds, with some routed to Japan. Citing unnamed bank sources, the newspaper reported that over half of the stolen money has been recovered.
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a full investigation, New Vision added. Meanwhile, the Daily Monitor suggested potential insider involvement in the cyber heist.
Police have yet to comment on the matter. Cyber thefts targeting banks and financial institutions, including telecom firms, are not uncommon in Uganda. However, authorities note that many banks avoid disclosing such incidents, fearing damage to customer confidence.
