Offshore Hackers Steal $16.8 Million from Bank of Uganda in Major Cyber Heist

In a significant breach of cybersecurity, offshore hackers have stolen 62 billion Ugandan shillings (approximately $16.8 million) from the Bank of Uganda, as reported by the state-owned newspaper, New Vision. The attack, carried out by a hacking group identified as “Waste,” targeted the central bank’s IT systems earlier this month.

Details of the Cyber Heist

According to the report, the stolen funds were partially transferred to Japan by the hackers, who are believed to operate from Southeast Asia. While the Bank of Uganda has not yet commented on the incident, New Vision disclosed that over half of the stolen amount has been successfully recovered.

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a thorough investigation into the breach, and reports from the Daily Monitor, Uganda’s largest independent newspaper, suggest possible insider collusion in the theft. However, no formal comments have been issued by the Ugandan police or the central bank.

For a country already contending with economic challenges, this theft feels like a punch to the gut. And yet, while the country scrambles to secure its financial infrastructure, another battle for control is unfolding—this time in the digital public square.