Hackers siphoned 62 billion Ugandan shillings (approximately $16.8 million) from the Bank of Uganda, according to a report by the state-owned New Vision newspaper.

The attackers, operating under the moniker “Waste,” infiltrated the central bank’s IT systems earlier this month and transferred the funds to various accounts, with a portion reportedly sent to Japan. The report, citing unnamed sources within the bank, said the group appears to be based in Southeast Asia.

According to the report, the bank had managed to recover more than half of the stolen funds.

In response to the incident, President Yoweri Museveni has directed a full investigation into the cyberattack. Separately, Daily Monitor, Uganda's largest independent newspaper, suggested that insider collusion might have been involved.