Mobile Money Security Under Fire: #StopAirtelThefty Campaign Sparks Debate

Kampala, Uganda — A viral campaign, #StopAirtelThefty, has thrown Uganda’s booming mobile money sector into the spotlight, raising questions about security and regulation.

The campaign began in August after Dr. Jim Spire alleged fraudulent loans and thefts linked to Airtel’s platform. A new academic study titled “A software security review on Uganda’s Mobile Money Services” has since confirmed growing consumer distrust.

“The vulnerabilities are not just technical. They also involve weak oversight and lack of consumer protection mechanisms,” said ICT policy expert Paul Mugisha.

What’s at Stake:

Uganda has over 35 million mobile money accounts.

Mobile money contributes over 10% to GDP.

Fraud cases are eroding public trust in digital finance.

Regulators are under pressure to tighten consumer protections as Uganda eyes digital finance as a key driver of growth.