The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) has mandated a forensic audit into the 500 million Shillings gorilla trekking permit scandal at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
COSASE Chairperson, Medard Lubega Ssegonna, issued the directive during a Tuesday session, summoning UWA officials led by Executive Director Sam Mwandha to address concerns raised by the Auditor General regarding staff collusion in defrauding the entity.
The audit report highlighted deficiencies in security features on Gorilla Trekking Permits, contrary to financial procedures outlined in the 2016 manual, which mandates effective systems for financial resource management.
Additionally, critical information such as dates, visitor details, and booking numbers, necessary for assessing tourist information, were reportedly neglected, increasing the risk of fraudulent activity.
Gorilla trekking permits, essential for both local and foreign tourists, carry significant revenue implications for the government. Fraudulent issuance implies financial losses and prompted UWA to suspend 14 staff members following internal investigations.
