Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has raised alarm over harassment by certain online lending companies, calling on authorities to investigate the sector’s questionable practices.
Tayebwa’s concerns come after a personal encounter with Mangu Cash, an online lender. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he shared that he had received an aggressive call from a representative of the company, who allegedly threatened financial consequences if he didn’t locate an unknown borrower who had listed him as a next of kin.
“I just received a call from a tough-talking lady claiming to be from Mangu Cash, threatening to deduct their loan money if I don’t produce some random person who put my name as their next of kin when borrowing. I think a lot of criminality is going on,” Tayebwa wrote, tagging Police CIID Director Tom Magambo.
While digital lending has broadened financial access, reports of unauthorized contact and intimidating debt collection tactics have cast doubt on the ethical practices of some lenders. The Deputy Speaker is urging financial regulators and law enforcement to address these growing concerns.
“Police Director CIID Tom Magambo, you need to take interest in this sector; many Ugandans might be suffering silently,” Tayebwa added, pointing to the potential toll on financially vulnerable citizens.
