Throughout 2016, ICAR experts have played a significant role in enhancing Uganda’s capacity to fight money laundering and terrorism financing. Part of this support, provided in the context of the Basel Institute’s involvement in the “Strengthening Uganda’s Anti-Corruption and Accountability Regime” (SUGAR) programme managed by Adam Smith International (ASI), involved assisting the country during the process of identifying and assessing its risk exposure to money laundering and terrorism financing. This so called National Risk Assessment process is now on the brink of being successfully completed. 

In addition, ICAR experts have been working very closely with the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) of Uganda in setting up its operational processes and organizational structure in line with international standards as applicable to a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This is part of their efforts to be recognized as a member of the EGMONT group. This informal network of national FIUs provides a global network to FIUs to cooperate, especially in the areas of information exchange, training and sharing of expertise, with a view to supporting their respective governments’s fight against money laundering, financing of terrorism and other financial crimes. With the Ugandan FIA making good progress, the membership is expected for 2017.