Uganda’s police have taken a significant step in investigating the high-profile hacking of the central bank’s electronic systems, detaining nine finance ministry officials, including the senior most official of the ministry’s Treasury department.
This development comes after State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi confirmed in November last year that the central bank’s accounts had been hacked, resulting in the theft of 62 billion shillings ($16.87 million).
The finance ministry revealed that some officers attached to the accountant general’s office were summoned and detained by the Criminal Investigations Department to facilitate the conclusion of the investigations.
Although the ministry didn’t disclose the names of those detained, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that nine officials were being held, including the top Treasury official.
The hacking incident, which involved a group identifying themselves as “Waste,” has sparked widespread concern, with some reports suggesting that the hackers may have had inside help.
The Bank of Uganda has confirmed that the hackers accessed their IT systems and illicitly transferred the funds, but the bank’s governor has downplayed the extent of the breach.
The investigation is ongoing, with the police and the finance ministry working to uncover the full extent of the hacking incident and identify those responsible.
