The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government is conducting research on virtual currencies with a view of regulating digital transactions. The currencies are online tenders through which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.
As the currencies penetrate the market, State Minister for Finance Gabriel Ajedra says that the government is taking a keen interest in their operations in order to ensure that the trend does not cause any risk to the economy.
Ajedra was yesterday speaking during a meeting on the regulation of emerging disruptive technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency organized by the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of offenders at Golden Tulip hotel in Kampala.
According to Ajedra, the evolution of money depicts a future in digital transactions. He added that the President directed the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic development to write a policy paper which can form the basis of regulating the sector.
Ajedra says that as it stands, a number of innovations have already altered traditional banking systems a trend which requires urgent intervention to stabilise economies.
Maureen Mapp, of the University of Birmingham Law school who made a presentation on cryptocurrency says that Government can take on examples of central banks which are coming up with their own cryptocurrencies and other examples around the world to inform the decision on cryptocurrencies.
She adds that despite the several cryptocurrency transactions recorded every day, the government is undertaking a piecemeal approach to policies towards cryptocurrency.
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