New booking system introduced to combat gorilla permit fraud

The Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Hon. Martin Mugarra has said that the government has started the rollout of the new booking and revenue collection system by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to combat gorilla permit fraud.

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are issued by UWA to both local and foreign nationals to undertake tracking activities.

The new system according to Mr Mugarra will replace the abused gorilla and chimpanzee permit booking system.

The Minister made this revelation at a plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa on Thursday, 05 October 2023, while presenting a statement on the allegations of fraud at UWA which has seen some staff investigated.

This followed a concern by Rubanda County Member of Parliament, Hon. Moses Kamuntu who on Wednesday, 04 October 2023 called for investigations into allegations of fraud in gorilla and chimpanzee permits.

In response, Minister Mugarra said that the ministry is investigating the allegations involving staff from UWA. “The alleged fraud was detected internally by UWA. Consequently, the Executive Director commissioned an internal audit. The internal audit covered the period between June and August 2023,” he said.

He added that the preliminary findings pointed to possible fraud orchestrated by some staff from the departments of reservations, finance and information technology at the head office and some field staff.

“Following the findings, UWA commissioned a second detailed investigation comprising members of staff from the investigations unit and Uganda Police Force. The investigations are still ongoing and findings will inform the next course of action,” said Mugarra.

The Minister added that fourteen suspected staff have been suspended to pave way for investigations”.

“Further investigations are ongoing to identify their role in the suspected fraud. Those implicated staff and tour companies will be prosecuted in courts of law,” he added.

According to the Minister, the Trade Ministry has also requested the Auditor General to undertake a comprehensive forensic audit covering the period between July 2020 and September 2023to cover gorilla and chimpanzee bookings at Bwindi, Mgahinga and Kibale national parks as well as Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth national park.

He therefore pledged to present detailed findings of the investigations within a month’s time.

Meanwhile, Sembabule District Woman MP, Hon. Mary Begumisa has urged the minister to have an engagement with tour operators, to ensure a comprehensive investigative report.

“Investigations can be complete when you call in all these investors in the tourism industry,” said Begumisa.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Thomas Tayebwa guided the House that debate on the statement be stayed to allow for investigations to continue.