Government has announced a nationwide crackdown on online fraudsters and conmen.
This move comes after Members of Parliament including the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa raised concern about scammers sending them messages asking for large sums of money in exchange for service delivery in their constituencies.
Some MPs including the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi even admitted to falling victim to these scams after being promised services in their areas.
The issue sparked outrage; with the Deputy Speaker Tayebwa questioning the ICT Minister Dr. Baryomunsi on why the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and Telecom Companies have not stopped these scams despite the registration of all SIM card owners in the country.
Baryomunsi has promised to address the issue by working with UCC and Telecom Companies to deactivate all unauthorized SIM cards which are still operational.
It should be recalled that in November 2023, UCC directed Telecom Companies to switch off SIM cards whose registration didn’t comply with the Interception of Communication Regulation 2023. Despite these efforts many Ugandans continue to fall prey to antics of conmen who hoodwink them using their phones but many are not easily traceable.
By Francis Lubega
20th Sept 2024
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