UGANDA CALLS FOR STRONGER GLOBAL ACTION AGAINST ONLINE SCAMS

Minister of State for Internal Affairs Hon. Juma Witonze Kisekka and other officials at ICCOS 2026

NILE POST

Uganda has called for faster information sharing, joint investigations and stronger judicial capacity to combat transnational online scam networks and protect Ugandans allegedly trafficked through fake overseas job offers.

Uganda has called for stronger international cooperation to combat online scams and cyber-enabled fraud, particularly schemes targeting Ugandan youth through fraudulent overseas employment opportunities.

Speaking at the International Conference on Combating Online Scams (ICCOS) 2026 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Minister of State for Internal Affairs Hon. Juma Witonze Kisekka urged countries to strengthen information sharing and joint investigations to dismantle scam networks operating across borders.

Kisekka said some Ugandan youth are trafficked through fraudulent job offers and taken to scam compounds, where they are allegedly forced to participate in online fraud.

“We need faster information sharing and joint investigations to effectively dismantle these transnational criminal networks and trace illicit proceeds,” Kisekka said.

He also called for stronger investigative and judicial capacity, while urging authorities to protect victims who are coerced into participating in online scams rather than treating them solely as offenders.

“We must strengthen the capacity of investigators and judicial officers while ensuring that Ugandans trafficked into scam compounds and forced into online scams receive the protection and support they need,” he said.

Kisekka’s call comes amid growing international concern over online scam networks that operate across borders and use deceptive employment opportunities to recruit and exploit victims.

On the sidelines of the conference, Kisekka held a bilateral meeting with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, H.E. Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, to discuss areas of mutual interest.

The discussions focused on strengthening security cooperation, improving agricultural market access and facilitating the safe return of Ugandans stranded in Cambodia.

Both sides explored ways to deepen cooperation between Uganda and Cambodia, particularly in addressing emerging forms of transnational crime and protecting citizens affected by online scam operations.

The engagements highlighted the need for countries to work together in tackling cross-border criminal networks while strengthening mechanisms for protecting and assisting citizens caught up in such operations.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis