MTN Mobile Money (U) Ltd (MTN MoMo), in partnership with key stakeholders, has launched a nationwide cybersecurity awareness campaign under the theme “Securing the Future: The Rise of AI”. The initiative aims to educate users on safe digital practices amid growing cyber threats and is part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, designed to help customers protect their accounts, wallets, and mobile devices.
At a press briefing in Kampala on Wednesday, Richard Yego, Managing Director of MTN MoMo, highlighted the critical role of cybersecurity in the company’s daily services. “Cybersecurity is vital for us at MTN MoMo because it directly impacts how we serve our customers every day,” he said.
Now in its sixth year, the campaign has expanded beyond Kampala to cities including Mbarara, Mbale, Gulu, and Lira, with a grand finale planned in the central region. Weekly sessions focus on topics such as cyber hygiene, AI-related threats, financial fraud, and lessons from the Cybersecurity Symposium.
The campaign is implemented in collaboration with MTN Uganda, Milima Security, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and members of the Anti-Fraud Consortium, including the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Bank of Uganda, Uganda Bankers Association, FinTechs, and Uganda Police.
Mr. Yego pointed to previous initiatives like Beera Steady and Tonfera, which cut mobile money fraud by nearly 85% in the first year. MTN MoMo has also enhanced systems to detect socially engineered fraud, strengthened multi-layer authentication, and launched the MoMo NextGen App with biometric login for greater security.
Andrew Bugembe, Chief Finance Officer at MTN Uganda, said the company is leveraging AI-driven systems to detect and prevent fraud in real time, including improvements in SIM registration, digital verification, and mobile transactions. “AI doesn’t sleep or take weekends off—it learns continuously,” he explained, noting that responsible AI use can serve as a powerful defense against fraud.
Bugembe emphasized that as digital inclusion grows, digital trust must remain a priority. MTN is committed to building a secure, compliant, and trusted digital ecosystem that protects every customer, partner, and transaction.
Carol Kagezi, Partnerships and Alliances Coordinator at the National ICT Innovation Hub, highlighted that AI is increasingly used to identify irregularities, flag suspicious activity, and combat fraud. Emmanuel Chagara, Executive Director of Milima Security, noted that human error accounts for up to 85% of cyber threats, underscoring the importance of staff training to strengthen cybersecurity culture.
Terrance Alinde, CEO of ECHO Uganda, stressed the role of public education. “Cybersecurity is not just a campaign; it’s a year-round commitment to safeguarding our customers, partners, and Uganda’s digital financial ecosystem,” said Yego, reaffirming MTN MoMo’s efforts to teach subscribers how to protect their PINs and OTPs from fraud.
