The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has called on media organizations to exercise caution when reporting allegations of fraud in the chimpanzee and gorilla booking systems, emphasizing the need to protect the tourism sector and the country’s reputation.

This appeal follows recent statements from Col. (Rtd) Tom Butime, the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, who revealed that UWA’s internal audit has uncovered possible illegal sales of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits by certain staff members. These activities reportedly led to a financial loss of at least 500 million shillings between June and August 2023. Dr. Sam Mwandha, UWA’s Executive Director, expressed concern about the ongoing negative publicity, especially when it comes from international sources. While he recognizes the media’s role as a watchdog, he stressed that such reports can be harmful to Uganda’s image.

Dr. Mwandha indicated that UWA plans to evaluate the effects of this negative publicity in three months, coinciding with the peak tourism season from November to January.

Minister Butime echoed these concerns, noting that those implicated in the fraudulent activities would face prosecution to deter future offenses. UWA issues permits for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking to both local and international visitors. In response to the recent issues, the Ministry of Tourism reported that UWA has started implementing a new booking and revenue collection system to combat further fraud.

In 2014, UWA introduced a cashless payment system requiring tourists to pay at the head office before receiving their tracking permits. However, this system faced challenges and was put on hold for upgrades. Attempts to contract a Mauritius-based company in 2017 for a new system were abandoned due to high costs. Another company was hired to install a new system within six months, but it failed to deliver after eight months, resulting in a terminated contract and ongoing legal disputes.

Delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led UWA to outsource to another company, which also faced procurement issues. Recently, a new company was contracted in May to develop a new system that will integrate with the financial infrastructure.

Currently, a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US $700, or approximately 2.6 million shillings per person. Permit prices vary by country; Rwanda’s permits are the most expensive at US $1,500 (around 5.5 million shillings), while the Democratic Republic of Congo offers the lowest at US $400 (approximately 1.4 million shillings).

Uganda is often referred to as the “Pearl of Africa” due to its significant population of around 459 mountain gorillas, representing half of the world’s total for this endangered species. Gorilla tracking in Uganda occurs primarily in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.