The Deputy Chief Justice, Justice Moses Kazibwe Kawumi, has warned that financial and cyber fraud is outpacing the justice system’s response, calling for faster investigation, prosecution and adjudication of increasingly sophisticated financial crimes.
Justice Kazibwe observed that while fraud can be committed within seconds, investigations may take months and litigation years, creating a gap that must be addressed through stronger technical capacity and a more coordinated response across the justice and financial sectors.
He made the remarks earlier today while representing the Chief Justice at the 4th Financial Sector Anti-Fraud Forum at the Marriott Hotel in Kampala.
The Forum was convened by the Uganda Bankers’ Association (UBA), Payment Systems Providers Association (PSPA) and Anti-Fraud Consortium (AFC) under the theme, “Safeguarding the Citizen: Beyond Infrastructure, Into Enforcement.”
“Fraud, to me, is an industry. Very fast-growing, with the modus operandi changing every time. So as a single bank, as a single organisation, you can’t fight fraud alone,” Justice Kazibwe said.
He noted that responsibility for delays in the justice chain cannot be attributed to one institution, since challenges may arise during investigations, evidence gathering, prosecution, case preparation, judicial case management and enforcement of court orders.
He proposed regular technical engagements bringing together Judges, prosecutors, investigators, financial intelligence experts, regulators, banks, payment providers and telecommunications specialists to address emerging challenges.
*Strengthening judicial capacity*
Justice Kazibwe said the increasing use of digital financial services requires Judicial Officers, prosecutors and investigators to better understand the technologies and systems underpinning financial transactions.
He highlighted the role of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) in strengthening judicial capacity and proposed specialised training in financial crime, cyber fraud, digital evidence, electronic payments, cryptocurrency and financial technology, drawing on expertise from relevant financial, regulatory and technical institutions.
“We need to learn to serve you better…You may have the money. Let’s partner to train. Approach us, teach us, and collaborate to serve you better,” he said.
Justice Kazibwe noted that evidence in financial and cybercrime cases is increasingly digital, dispersed and capable of being altered or lost quickly. He stressed the importance of effective preservation and production of digital evidence, transaction trails and audit logs, authentication of electronic records, chain of custody, and handling of cross-platform and cross-border transactions.
He said an effective anti-fraud system must go beyond arrests and convictions to include early detection, professional investigations, efficient adjudication, recovery of stolen funds, restitution to victims and prevention of future vulnerabilities.
“The success of an anti-fraud system should not be measured only by arrests and convictions, but also by the recovery of victims’ funds, tracing of unlawful gains, correction of systemic weaknesses and prevention of future vulnerabilities,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Justice further called for adequate compensation for victims and consideration of stronger custodial sentences for offenders, given the wider impact of cybercrime on innocent depositors.
*Judiciary reforms*
Justice Kazibwe said the Judiciary is undertaking reforms under its Sixth Judiciary Strategic Plan for FY2025/26–2029/30, focusing on access to justice, case management, institutional effectiveness and digital transformation.
He highlighted the expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), mediation, plea bargaining and the Small Claims Procedure, alongside the rollout of the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS)