Parliament Moves to Shield MPs' Numbers from Scammers

Lawmakers in Uganda will soon find their personal telephone numbers removed from public view, as Parliament takes action to protect them from fraudulent schemes. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa issued a firm directive during a recent plenary session, instructing the Clerk to Parliament to swiftly purge these contact details from official websites and records.

The move comes in response to a growing concern that fraudsters are exploiting publicly accessible phone numbers, often obtained through simple Google searches or the parliamentary website itself. These criminals have reportedly been using the numbers to contact Members of Parliament (MPs) under false pretenses, soliciting money by impersonating senior officials or feigning urgent need.

Several MPs have allegedly become targets of these persistent scams, highlighting a vulnerability that has plagued the legislative body for some time. The issue is not new, with similar complaints surfacing in previous parliamentary terms. The Deputy Speaker himself has previously voiced concerns over the ease with which these fraudulent actors could access and exploit lawmakers’ personal information.

This proactive measure is expected to significantly reduce the opportunities for fraudsters to target MPs, thereby safeguarding their personal and professional integrity from undue harassment and financial exploitation.

Read more: https://observer.ug/news/parliament-orders-removal-of-mps-phone-numbers-from-public-platforms