49th ESAAMLG Task Force : Museveni Commits to Fight Money Laundering

President Yoweri Museveni has called for enhanced vigilance in combatting financial crimes, particularly Money laundering and Terrorism financing observing that the criminals are constantly adapting new methods.

In his speech read by Prime Minister Ms. Robinah Nabbanja at the official opening of the 49th Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Taskforce of Senior Officials Meeting at Speake Resort Munyonyo on Wednesday (April 2, 2025) the President acknowledged that combatting financial crimes is an ongoing challenge, one that requires constant adaptation and vigilance.

He noted that terrorist groups and criminal organizations continue to fund their operations through illegal trade, drug trafficking, and the exploitation of weak regulatory frameworks. The rapid digitalization across Sub-Saharan Africa has opened up new avenues for terrorist groups to recruit, radicalize, and fundraise online, presenting fresh challenges for our counter-terrorism efforts, the President warned.

Mr. Museveni applauded the ESAAMLG for its critical role in fostering regional cooperation, supporting capacity building, and ensuring compliance with international standards put in place by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Uganda is hosting the 49th ESAAMLG Task Force of Senior Officials meeting which commenced on 28th March and will close on 4th April 2025. Over 1000 delegates are taking part in the meeting.

Speaking at the same meeting, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED) in charge of General Duties, Hon. Henry Musasizi underscored the importance of collaboration to combat organized crime and terrorism financing. He acknowledged the role played by the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in investigating and prosecuting financial crimes.

The Permanent Secretary, MoFPED, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi expressed concern about the growing complexity of financial crimes precipitated by the misuse of emerging technologies. He challenged the ESAAMLG states to adopt a more unified and strategic approach to address the evolving threats.

The Executive Director of the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA)Uganda, Mr Samuel Were Wandera, said the senior officials meeting marks a crucial milestone in Uganda’s efforts to combat money laundering and countering the financing of Terrorism.

Mr. Wandera stressed that the Government remains firmly committed to this cause, bolstered by a robust legal and regulatory framework.

The opening ceremony was also addressed by the Secretary General of ESAAMLG, Ms Fikile P.Zitha, and the chairman of the Taskforce of Senior Officials, Mr Frezer Ayalew.

The ESAAMLG is a Regional Body established in 1999 to subscribe to global standards to combat Money Laundering (ML), Terrorism Financing (TF), and Proliferation financing (PF) of weapons of mass destruction ML/TF/PF. It consists of 21 Member Countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. It also includes several regional, and international observers and Cooperating Nations. Uganda is a founding member state of ESAAMLG.

ESAAMLG is a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-Style Regional Body (FSRB) for countries in Eastern and Southern Africa. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body responsible for setting international standards and promoting effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.