Unlike other types of crime, the majority of cybercrime incidents in Uganda and the East African Community go unreported, primarily due to the affected entities’ efforts to protect their reputations. Often, victims are financial institutions entrusted with safeguarding customer deposits. They are obliged to keep customer data safe.
In 2022 and 2023, the reported annual costs of cybercrime, according to the Uganda Annual Police Report, were UGX 19,193,008,000 and UGX 1,165,850,696, respectively (see Figure 16).
Figure 16: Cost of cybercrime in Uganda, Source: Annual reports of Uganda Police Force.
Over the years from 2016, the annual cost of cybercrime in Uganda has been in a steady decline, according to the data from the Uganda Police Force annual reports. 2017 experienced the biggest losses. The large amount in 2017 is attributed to a suspected cyber-attack at one of the leading banks in Uganda, affecting many ecosystem players, especially aggregators and mobile money agents.
Over the years, cybercrime cases reported to the Uganda Police have been growing in numbers despite the decline in actual amounts involved.
Figure 17: Reported cyber crimes and losses drastically reduced in 2021 and 2023. Victim organizations prefer to handle the incidents internally for image and brand reputation.
The true cost of cybercrime in Uganda remains elusive. While the Uganda Police Force’s 2023 annual report recorded cyber losses of UGX 1.5 billion from 245 reported cases, the iShield 360 Team’s findings paint a far graver picture. Our analysis puts losses at UGX 11 billion, highlighting a substantial gap in reported and actual impacts. These are actual cases that have been handled in our
This discrepancy underscores the hidden nature of cybercrime and the difficulty in capturing its full financial toll. The rise in the number of reported incidents signals growing awareness among victims but also points to a larger issue: the increasing sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks targeting organizations across sectors. Interestingly, while reported losses appear to have declined, the scale of damage in unreported or poorly documented cases continues to climb.
Organizations must take proactive measures to close this gap. Strengthening incident reporting, improving forensic readiness, and investing in robust cybersecurity frameworks are critical to understanding and mitigating the true costs of cybercrime. At iShield 360, we remain committed to helping organizations uncover and address these hidden threats, ensuring their defenses match the ever-evolving tactics of malicious actors.
Figure 18: Estimated cost of cybercrime by the iShield 360 Team
The Uganda Police report provides critical insights into the state of economic and cyber-related crimes, with obtaining by pretense topping the list at a staggering 10,709 reported cases. This crime serves as a glaring example of how deceptive practices can exploit weak systems and human vulnerabilities, much like phishing attacks in cybersecurity, where attackers manipulate trust to steal sensitive information.
Following this, forgeries and uttering documents account for 868 cases, a crime that mirrors the cyber realm’s struggles with identity theft and counterfeit digital credentials. Forged documents in the physical world are analogous to falsified digital certificates or hacked credentials, which can provide malicious actors with unauthorized access to systems and resources.
Figure 19: Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2023
Cyber (computer) crimes, with 245 reported cases, underscore the growing threats in Uganda’s digital landscape. Although this number appears relatively low compared to traditional economic crimes, it highlights a critical and evolving issue: cybercriminals are capitalizing on the increasing adoption of digital technologies. Think of cyberattacks as digital termites, often unnoticed until the damage becomes extensive.
Interestingly, crimes like embezzlement (101 cases) and causing financial loss (49 cases) are not just financial issues but also cybersecurity risks. For instance, insider threats often leverage weak internal controls, much like embezzlers exploit gaps in financial oversight. Weak access management, similar to leaving cash drawers unlocked, is a common entry point for insider-related cyberattacks.
Bank and other corporate frauds (43 cases) further emphasize vulnerabilities in financial institutions. These crimes often rely on exploiting lapses in transaction monitoring systems, akin to attackers bypassing firewalls and intrusion detection systems to exfiltrate sensitive data. Cyber harassment (12 cases), though fewer in number, reflects the increasing misuse of technology for personal and professional harm. It highlights the need for stronger digital literacy and enforcement mechanisms to curb such misuse.
For cybersecurity leaders, this report is a wake-up call. It underscores the importance of adopting robust preventive measures, such as multi-factor authentication, regular vulnerability assessments, and employee training, to close the gaps that cybercriminals exploit. Just as physical security relies on vigilant guards, cybersecurity demands constant monitoring and proactive defense. The numbers may appear disparate, but they collectively point to one conclusion: Uganda’s threat landscape is evolving, and organizations must prepare for an increasingly complex battlefield.
This article draws on key findings from The iShield Project’s Frontline Report 2024, offering a snapshot of the region’s evolving cybersecurity landscape. For deeper insights, case studies, and recommendations: Download the PDF here.
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