Expanding Anti-Fraud Campaign Intensifies in Uganda as Part of Wide-Ranging Government Reform by Equity Group
In a proactive move to uphold integrity and transparency, Equity Bank Uganda has launched the "Culture of Accountability" campaign. This comprehensive initiative, rolled out in July 2025, aims to reinforce ethical behavior, accountability, and transparency across all staff and branches [1].
Key components of the Culture of Accountability campaign include:
- Routine behavior and integrity audits of staff to detect ethical breaches.
- Conflict-of-interest checks requiring transparent disclosures.
- Safe whistleblower channels for employees and clients to report suspicions without fear of retaliation.
- Ethics training programs designed to promote awareness and cultivate integrity.
- Use of artificial intelligence tools to analyze transactional data and flag anomalies indicative of fraud.
- Confidential feedback and disciplinary processes managed fairly through HR.
The campaign is described as proactive and originates from the Equity Group’s senior leadership commitment to uphold integrity, not driven by any specific scandal but as a preventive governance measure. According to Equity Bank Uganda Managing Director Gift Shoko, the campaign balances fairness with firm disciplinary steps for misconduct, aiming to protect both employees and customers [1].
In addition to this campaign, Equity Bank is enhancing its fraud risk management frameworks by recruiting senior fraud risk managers who leverage data analytics, technology solutions, and behavior indicators to prevent and detect fraud [2]. These roles focus on developing robust controls, fraud risk assessments, monitoring, reporting, and regulatory compliance to further build a strong culture of accountability and fraud resilience.
The growth and swift transition to digital banking have introduced fresh vulnerabilities, particularly within internal systems and employee conduct. In Kenya, Equity Bank underwent an extensive anti-fraud crackdown, where internal probes revealed deep-rooted collusion between employees and external fraudsters [3]. Over $15 million was estimated to have been siphoned off through suspicious transactions in the past two years in Kenya.
Equity Bank Uganda's initiative isn't tied to any specific incident but aligns with the bank's ongoing strategy to enhance governance throughout its operations. The process in Uganda is anticipated to conclude by the end of July [4]. Disciplinary actions are currently in progress in Uganda for some employees who have not presented their side, while all implicated employees are being afforded a fair opportunity to do so [5].
References:
[1] Equity Bank Uganda. (2025). Equity Bank Uganda Launches "Culture of Accountability" Campaign. Retrieved from https://www.equitybankug.co.ug/news/equity-bank-uganda-launches-culture-of-accountability-campaign/
[2] Equity Group. (2025). Equity Bank Recruits Senior Fraud Risk Managers to Boost Fraud Prevention Efforts. Retrieved from https://www.equitygroup.co.ke/news/equity-bank-recruits-senior-fraud-risk-managers-to-boost-fraud-prevention-efforts/
[3] Equity Bank. (2023). Equity Bank Uncovers Deep-Rooted Collusion in Anti-Fraud Crackdown. Retrieved from https://www.equitybank.co.ke/news/equity-bank-uncovers-deep-rooted-collusion-in-anti-fraud-crackdown/
[4] The Observer. (2025). Equity Bank Uganda's "Culture of Accountability" Campaign to Conclude in July. Retrieved from https://observer.ug/business/equity-bank-ugandas-culture-of-accountability-campaign-to-conclude-in-july/
[5] The Monitor. (2025). Equity Bank Uganda Disciplinary Actions for Employees Involved in Questionable Transactions. Retrieved from https://monitor.co.ug/business/equity-bank-uganda-disciplinary-actions-for-employees-involved-in-questionable-transactions/
Finance and technology play significant roles in Equity Bank Uganda's Culture of Accountability campaign, as the bank leverages artificial intelligence tools to analyze transactional data and flag anomalies indicative of fraud, and reinforces its fraud risk management frameworks by recruiting senior fraud risk managers who use data analytics and technology solutions to prevent and detect fraud. Moreover, the bank's senior leadership is committed to upholding integrity in the broader finance and technology-driven business industry.
