Uganda Tourism Scam Arrest: Police Hold Suspect Over Fake Car Hire and Gorilla Permit Offers

Uganda's Tourism Police have arrested a man they accuse of running an online tourism scam that took advance payments from foreign visitors for car hire, gorilla permits and safari packages that never materialised. The Uganda tourism scam arrest, announced by the Uganda Police Force on 6 October 2026, is a timely warning for anyone booking a Ugandan safari online, and a reminder of the official channels that protect travellers' money.

According to the police statement, the suspect, Faisal Kimuli, was traced and arrested on 2 October. Police say he operated a purported car-hire and tour business called FK Car Rental. The allegations remain under investigation, and no charges or court outcome had been reported at the time of writing.

How the case came to light

The investigation began with a single complaint. On 16 August 2026, a Russian tourist reported to the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) that he had paid US$2,215 to hire a vehicle that was never delivered. The Daily Monitor put the sum at about Shs8.2 million.

After the payment went through, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said, "the website was taken down and all the contact numbers associated with the business were switched off." Other foreign visitors then came forward with similar accounts, and investigators concluded that the same operator was behind several websites advertising gorilla permits, safaris and four-wheel-drive hire.

The methods police describe

The police account reads like a checklist of warning signs that travellers can use when they shop for trips online.

Professional presentation: investigators say the adverts looked polished and used photographs taken with genuine tourists to build trust.

Prices below the market: the offers were reportedly pitched well under prevailing rates for the same services.

False names: police say the suspect used several identities, including "Becky", "Kim Quinn" and "Habimana Samuel".

Advance payment through informal channels: clients were asked to pay upfront by mobile money or bank transfer, with most of the arrangements made over WhatsApp.

Disappearing contacts: after payment, the person on the other end reportedly claimed to be outside Uganda and became unreachable. Kituuma said the suspect "frequently changed telephone numbers, mobile devices, accounts and websites" to avoid detection.

Police say the investigation is continuing as they work to establish the full scale of the alleged fraud, identify other victims and any accomplices, and trace and recover the money.

Why it matters for Uganda's tourism industry

Gorilla trekking is the centrepiece of many Uganda itineraries, and permits are limited, so demand is high and travellers often book months ahead. That combination makes permits an obvious target for fraudsters who promise availability or discounts that legitimate sellers cannot offer.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has already been tightening how permits are issued. In January 2026, the Nile Post reported that UWA stopped handing gorilla and chimpanzee permits over in person to tour operators and their agents. Under the revised procedure described in a letter from Executive Director Dr. James Musinguzi, the payer receives an official receipt, the Head of Reservations processes the permit, and it is sent electronically to the operator's official email address. UWA said the change was meant to "enhance accountability, protect the integrity of UWA systems, and improve service delivery to our stakeholders."

UWA's own website carries a fraud alert stating that it does not recognise communication through phone numbers, emails or social media accounts other than those it lists, and it tells visitors to verify contact details on the site. For licensed operators it refers readers to the Uganda Tourism Board.

For the wider industry, every case like this carries a cost beyond the money lost. Reputable Ugandan operators depend on overseas travellers trusting online bookings, and a visitor who is cheated before arriving may never come at all. Swift action by the Tourism Police on a complaint first lodged with UTB is the kind of response the trade will hope becomes routine.

What it means for travellers

Police advised visitors to be cautious when booking tourism services online and to verify a provider before paying. These are the practical steps that follow from the official guidance.

Gorilla and chimpanzee permits: buy them directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or through a tour operator licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board. UWA lists its official reservations contacts, including [email protected] and a toll-free line, 0800 100 960, on ugandawildlife.org.

Tour companies: check that an operator appears on UTB's list of licensed tour companies at utb.go.ug before sending a deposit. A similar-sounding name is not enough; match the exact business name and contacts.

Car hire: ask for written terms covering the vehicle, collection, insurance and cancellation, and be wary of anyone who will only communicate by WhatsApp and asks for full payment upfront to a personal mobile money number.

Prices: treat offers far below what established operators charge as a warning sign rather than a bargain.

Records: keep copies of quotations, invoices, receipts and messages.

If you have paid money to accounts or phone numbers linked to the suspect, or believe you have been the victim of a similar scheme, police ask you to report it to Katwe Police Station in Kampala or the nearest police station.

Planning a trip around the gorillas? See our guide to the best time to visit Uganda, and our Bwindi destination page for what to expect in the forest.

Photo: Charles J. Sharp / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).