Financial Crime World

Uganda’s Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) Cracks Down on Financial Crime with International Support

The Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) of Uganda is taking a proactive stance against financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorist financing, using a suite of tools and international partnerships.

Information Sharing

Due to the Anti-Money laundering (Exchange of Information) Regulations, 2018, local and foreign law enforcement agencies can request vital information from the FIA about transactions and accounts that may be linked to terrorism or significant money laundering. These requests must have a national mandate to investigate an unlawful activity and specify the nature of the unlawful activity being probed. The FIA processes these requests, offering critical leads in pinpointing suspects and their illicit activities:

  • Mandatory requests from law enforcement
  • National mandate required
  • FIA processes requests and provides leads

Knowledge and Training

The FIA provides crucial support to the law enforcement community through training and resources:

  • Educational manuals, such as the Uganda Police Force Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Manual
  • Serve as a valuable resource for law enforcement personnel
  • Highlight financial mechanisms susceptible to financial crimes and investigation

Global Network and Information Exchange

As the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for Uganda, the FIA is an integral part of the Egmont Group – a global network of over 100 FIUs. This collaboration enables information exchange and cooperation among member countries during law enforcement investigations with an international scope:

  • Collaboration with FIUs worldwide
  • Information sharing between members
  • Expediting complex international investigations
  • Strong relationships with counterparts in partner countries

Law Enforcement Requests

Law enforcement agencies can submit requests to the FIA for data from the global network of partners, accessing a wealth of information. This may significantly expand understanding of financial activities and streamline the investigative process:

  • FIA processes requests for data
  • Expansive understanding of financial activities
  • Streamlined investigative process

In conclusion, the FIA’s use of information sharing, knowledge and training, and international partnerships places Uganda in a strong position to combat financial crimes effectively.