Why do banks demand a board resolution to reactivate an account they themselves marked “dormant” simply because you did not transact? Why design hurdles that punish a customer for inactivity instead of rewarding them for loyalty? I see this as a paradox of modern banking. Banks preach financial inclusion while erecting barriers to access. They claim to protect you from fraud, yet what they protect is their bureaucracy. A dormant account is not a risk; it is an untapped opportunity. In modern banking, smart banks treat dormancy as a trigger for engagement, not punishment. They call, they nudge, and they…
Why your staff may be the biggest cyber threat
On 7th November 2024, a well-known humanitarian NGO in Kampala discovered that donor funds, meant for a maternal health project in Lira, had mysteriously dwindled. Bank statements showed UGX 1.6 billion disbursed to “beneficiary suppliers.” Yet on the ground, no medicines had arrived, and the health centre shelves remained empty. At first, management suspected supplier fraud. They called in Summit Consulting Ltd to investigate. What we uncovered was far more chilling; the breach was inside the house. How insiders weaponised access The NGO’s finance system required two approvals for any payment above UGX 10 million. But insiders knew the weaknesses.…
How to build cyber resilience in a world of constant threats
At 2:00 am, a hospital I advised once went dark. Hackers had slipped ransomware into their system through a junior doctor’s personal email. Monitors froze. ICU machines stalled. The ransom note blinked: “Pay in Bitcoin.” They had invested in firewalls, yes, but no resilience plan. It was like locking the front gate while leaving the windows wide open. Patients almost paid the price. This is the tragedy of many leaders. They think cybersecurity is a one-off project. Buy software, tick the compliance box, and move on; that is not resilience, that is hope, and hope is not a strategy. Cyber…
A birthday beyond strategy
Birthdays often come with cakes, candles, and well-wishes. But this year, mine came wrapped in something more enduring: love expressed through thought, effort, and symbolism. My daughters, Lisa and Melyn, went beyond preparing a meal. They created an experience gift that spoke directly to my heart. What they gave me was not just food; it was a reminder of who I am, and more importantly, why I do what I do. They baked cookies that spelled out the words Mr. Strategy, a nickname I have earned over the years for my work in strategy, leadership, and transformation. But to see…
Mr. Strategy: What are you good at?
What am I good at? I was once an Internal Auditor at Nile Bank, now ABSA. One day, I witnessed a colleague being terminated for lacking qualifications. That moment cut deep. I went home shaken, not because it happened to someone else, but because it could have been me. So, I did what the comfortable never do. I began reading. Studying. Becoming. Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA. Then Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Then, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). Then Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Then, Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI). Then, Master of Business Administration (MBA). Then Certified Fraud Examiner…
Why most job seekers are losing before they start
In the old days, a blacksmith did not apply for work; he lit a fire. He showed the village his hammer, his scars, and the sword he forged last week. Today’s job applicant? They send a copy-pasted scroll, forged by ChatGPT, not fire. Last week I posted a job. Five days. 350 views. 321 applications. But here is the shock: I added a simple instruction at the end, answer a written question. Only 20 tried. Most skipped it. Those who did? They let ChatGPT do the talking. Not even an edit to show personality, insight, or hunger. Just default, lifeless…
