Monica Musubika, a concerned whistleblower, has raised serious allegations against a digital lender, Gold Credit, and other similar apps for engaging in unethical and potentially illegal activities, prompting a call for urgent intervention by Airtel Uganda and other stakeholders.

In a detailed complaint addressed to Airtel Uganda on January 23, 2025, Musubika accused Gold Credit, a lending app available on the Play Store, of breaching borrowers’ privacy and violating their rights.

She highlighted that the app unlawfully targets contacts in borrowers’ mobile phone books, sending demand notices and threatening messages without consent.

According to Musubika, Gold Credit representatives claim the authority to deduct money from the mobile money accounts of borrowers’ contacts, even though those contacts have no formal agreement with the lender.

“The amounts communicated are often incorrect and grossly exaggerated,” the letter stated.

The whistleblower also revealed that a person claiming to be a CID officer, identified as Byarugaba Reagan, has been sending threatening WhatsApp messages to borrowers’ contacts, further heightening fears.

“These actions are alarming, unethical, and potentially illegal,” Musubika noted, calling for Airtel to investigate the app’s activities on its platform.

Musubika further accused other lending apps, including Quick Sente and Kwasakwasa, of exploiting borrowers by charging interest rates that exceed legal limits.

She urged Airtel Uganda to take immediate action, including blocking the apps from making unauthorised deductions and holding the culprits accountable.

The whistleblower also appealed to key authorities, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Uganda Microfinance Regulatory Authority (UMRA), and Bank of Uganda (BoU), to investigate and clamp down on predatory lending practices in the country.

This complaint sheds light on the growing issue of unregulated digital lending, which has raised alarm among borrowers and consumer protection advocates.

Stakeholders are being urged to act swiftly to protect the privacy and rights of Ugandans while ensuring ethical business practices in the financial sector.

Airtel Uganda has yet to issue a public statement regarding the matter.