By KT Reporter
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has granted bail to nine officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) accused of causing a financial loss of more than 9.3 billion shillings to the government through the issuance of fake gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits to tourists.
Those released on bail include senior UWA directors and staff from the Tourism, Finance, and ICT departments. Among them are Stephen Sanyi Masaba, Director of Tourism and Business Development; Jimmy Mugisa, Director of Finance and Administration; Robert Maani, Senior Warden Accounts; Alfred Emmanuel Ndikusooka, ICT Manager; and Leslie Muhindo, former Head of Reservations.
Others are ICT and Sales Executives Gad Ekochu, Josephine Kayonza, and Rose Namutebi. The officials were remanded to Luzira Prison last week alongside Shafic Twebaze and Susan Ayupa, both Sales Executives, whose bail applications were not considered during Friday’s session after submitting their documents late.
Chief Magistrate Rachael Nakyazze said their applications will be handled in the next sitting. The charges against the group stem from a UWA internal audit that uncovered discrepancies between the number of tourists who accessed tracking sites and the revenue remitted to the Authority.
The findings led to a joint investigation by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, resulting in the arrest of twelve suspects last week. Prosecution alleges that the accused and others still at large generated over 8,400 fake permits, allowing both local and foreign tourists to access Uganda’s national parks without proper authorisation.
The fraudulent scheme reportedly caused losses exceeding 9.3 billion shillings, affecting major conservation areas including Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga Gorilla, Kibale, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
The fraud is said to have exploited the GoChimp System, an online platform introduced by UWA to enhance transparency and efficiency in the sale of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits, among Uganda’s most lucrative tourism products. A single permit costs up to US Dollars 800 US for foreign tourists.
Investigations revealed that some staff created duplicate user accounts, which were used to generate and sell counterfeit permits that were indistinguishable from genuine ones. Investigators say the fake permits were used at popular tracking sites such as Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, Nyakagezi, Kanyanchu, and Kyambura Gorge.
Prosecutors argue that the accused officials failed in their duty to safeguard the integrity of UWA’s revenue systems, thereby breaching financial controls and exposing the Authority to massive losses. They face charges under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009 and the Penal Code Act, which carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison, fines, and disqualification from public office upon conviction.
However, Magistrate Nakyazze granted the nine officials bail after a successful application by their lawyers, David Kamukama, Francis Nyakojo, and Alex Tumuhimbise, who argued that the accused are long-serving public servants with fixed places of residence and have cooperated with investigations. Each of the accused presented three sureties, including family members, friends, and colleagues, who undertook to ensure their attendance in court.
Each official was ordered to pay a cash bail ranging between 5 and 10 million Shillings, depending on their role in the alleged crime. In addition, they must deposit their passports and land titles with the court and seek permission before leaving the country. Each surety was bonded at 200 million Shillings, non-cash, and must also seek court approval before travelling abroad.
The prosecution, led by State Attorneys Barbara Kauma and Edward Muhumuza, had opposed the bail application, arguing that the offences were serious and involved colossal sums of public funds. They contended that the accused still holds significant influence within the Authority, which could enable them to interfere with witnesses or tamper with digital evidence, as investigations and asset-tracing operations are still ongoing.
Kauma further warned that releasing the officials could undermine public confidence in the fight against corruption and frustrate efforts to recover proceeds from the alleged fraud. The prosecution, however, requested that if bail was to be granted, the court should impose strict conditions, including passport deposits, land title submissions, and travel restrictions.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Nakyazze acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and the magnitude of the alleged financial loss. However, she noted that the prosecution had not presented affidavits from investigating officers to substantiate claims that the accused might interfere with witnesses or investigations.
The court found that the applicants had met the legal requirements for bail, including having fixed places of residence, valid local council introduction letters, and substantial sureties. She emphasised that while the offences were grave, bail is a constitutional right and the accused remains innocent until proven guilty.
The court granted bail with stringent conditions to ensure their availability throughout the proceedings. The case has been adjourned to November 11, 2025, for mention, as investigations continue. Several other suspects remain at large.
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