New Campaign targeting digital fraud launched by Telecoms, Equity Bank, UCC, Next Media & other Industry players

Telecommunication giants MTN and Airtel, together with Equity Bank, Uganda Communications Commission, The Ministry of ICT, Uganda Bankers Association, Next Media, and other industry players have today launched Beera Steady, a new joint campaign that will sensitize Ugandans on financial literacy and key safety measures about digital money.

Speaking at the launch, MTN Uganda CEO Sylvia Mulinge revealed that on a daily basis, they receive over 30,000 calls coming to the call center with people saying that they have been defrauded.

The campaign which has pulled together industry experts, players, and regulators is going to be headlined by Next Media and through it, the public will be sensitized on how to transact safely.

Equity Bank Uganda’s MD Anthony Kituuka shared Equity Bank’s commitment to fighting fraud revealing that they have a 24/7 multi-lingual customer care line, 0312327000 that is always available to support. He also revealed that through their strong cyber security unit, they are catching the fraudsters wherever they are, and the efforts are not stopping anytime soon.

“In the past, robbers came with guns to the bank; now, they come through the internet. Let me ask Ugandans, kindly, the same way you don’t leave your money in the open; please don’t share your password.” He added.

The CEO of Next Media Kin Kariisa emphasized the importance of sensitizing Ugandans on financial literacy, adding that the fight against digital fraud should be a joint effort since it affects everyone. While welcoming the partners on board, he revealed that the campaign is going to run for a period of 2 years with the purpose of ensuring Ugandans embrace the digital economy and trust that digital money is real money.

Commenting on the campaign, UCC’s Executive Director Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo applauded all the partners who have come together saying that it’s a dream come true.

Many Ugandans have interfaced with fraudsters, with an average of 3% of the attempts being succeful. During the 2 year period, Next Media will unveil a resource centre or website that will have the industry’s best practices, when it comes to safe digital banking.