Uganda: Bankers' Association, Visa Join Forces to Bolster Cybersecurity in Financial Sector

25 August 2025

The Uganda Bankers' Association (UBA), in partnership with global digital payments leader Visa, convened a half-day cybersecurity workshop at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, bringing together financial sector leaders to address the growing threats posed by cybercrime.

Held under the theme, "Cyber Threats, Smarter Defenses: Strengthening Uganda's Fight Against Cyber Crime," the event was designed to equip UBA member institutions, payment service providers, regulators, and law enforcement with the knowledge and strategies needed to counter increasingly sophisticated digital attacks.

These threats, driven by advanced social engineering, digital tools, and insider access, have made a coordinated, proactive approach essential for safeguarding customer trust and protecting financial infrastructure.

The workshop featured a diverse audience, including heads of risk, fraud, cybersecurity, and IT from UBA member banks, alongside international experts from Visa.

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Participants engaged in discussions on global cyber threat trends, resilience, and incident response, drawing lessons that can be applied within Uganda's financial sector.

"Cybercrime is a shared threat that demands a shared attention," said UBA Executive Director Wilbrod Humphreys Owor.

"This workshop provided a vital platform for our industry to share intelligence, learn from real-life cases, and develop practical defense strategies. By working together, we can secure our systems and safeguard the trust of our customers."

Chad Pollock, general manager and Vice President of Visa East Africa, emphasized the broader significance of cybersecurity in digital commerce.

"At Visa, we believe that trust is the foundation of digital commerce. Strengthening cybersecurity across the financial ecosystem is not just a technical imperative, it's a business and societal one," Pollock said.

"This workshop reflects our commitment to working hand-in-hand with partners like UBA to build resilience, share intelligence, and empower institutions to stay ahead of emerging threats."

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, operates in more than 200 countries and territories, connecting consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities through a secure and innovative network.

Through partnerships like this, Visa seeks to ensure that financial systems remain reliable, inclusive, and resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Patricia Amito Lutwama, Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs at UBA, and Bryan Wesonga, PR and Communications Lead at Visa East Africa, served as points of contact for media inquiries.

This initiative underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration in safeguarding Uganda's financial ecosystem, reinforcing the message that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility demanding both vigilance and collective action.

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