UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY SUSPEND 11 STAFF OVER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
T he Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has suspended 11 staff members over allegations of fraud surrounding the sale of fake gorilla permits. The UWA has launched a rigorous investigation into the matter and is committed to ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the gorilla permit booking system. Gorilla tourism generates significant revenue for wildlife conservation efforts in Uganda, and the UWA is determined to safeguard Uganda's wildlife and prevent any revenue leakages. The investigation is ongoing, and the UWA is also looking into the alleged collusion of some tour operators with UWA staff to facilitate fraudulent activities. This is not the first time that the UWA has suspended staff members over fraud in permits for tracking gorillas. In 2013, the UWA suspended three officials over fraud in permits for tracking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The scandal came to light when several permits to track mountain gorillas were being traced back to one receipt, whi