Kampala – In a bold strike against deceit in Uganda’s lucrative tourism sector, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) has slammed the brakes on 18 notorious tour companies, yanking their operating licenses and ordering an immediate halt to all activities. This sweeping purge, announced amid swirling allegations of fraud, underscores a zero-tolerance stance on bad actors threatening the nation’s pearl-of-Africa allure.
The suspensions, detailed in a stark public notice from the UTB, are provisional—hanging in limbo until a full probe wraps up. Travelers and locals alike have been urged to steer clear of these firms, lest they fall victim to overpromises, ghosted bookings, or outright scams that have eroded trust in Uganda’s adventure-packed safaris and gorilla treks.
Among the blacklisted outfits are household names in the safari circuit:
1. Makaayi Tours and Travel,
2. Travel Times,
3. Vendoro Safaris,
4. Karumuna Safaris Limited.
5. Gorilla Holidays (U) Limited,
6. Akia Quest Tours,
7. Varitus Resourcing (U) Ltd,
8. Saso Uganda Safaris Limited,
9. Primate Journeys Africa Limited,
10. Mohan Tours and Travel,
11. Gotovate Tours and Travel,
12. Dream Bandas Uganda Limited,
13. Birchill Expeditions Limited,
14. Azas Safaris U Ltd,
15. Dorabo Tours and Travel Ltd,
16. Brooklyn Safari Limited,
17. All Budget Gorilla Safaris Ltd, and
18. Beyond Frontiers Travel (U) Ltd.
Dr. Simplicious Gessa, the UTB’s Public Relations Manager, didn’t mince words in defending the clampdown. “We cannot allow fraudulent operators to tarnish the image of our tourism sector,” he declared. “These suspensions are a precautionary measure as we investigate the allegations. Our priority is to protect visitors, ensure value for money, and maintain the integrity of Uganda’s tourism brand.”
This isn’t the board’s first rodeo. Just last month, Exclusive Africa Safaris—run by the controversial Alex Mango—met a similar fate for parallel infractions, signaling a pattern of regulatory muscle-flexing. Industry watchers say the move could ripple through Uganda’s tourism economy, which rakes in billions annually from eco-tourists flocking to Bwindi’s misty forests and the Nile’s roaring rapids.
Yet, for honest operators, it’s a breath of fresh air. “Finally, a level playing field,” one anonymous safari guide told Watchdog Uganda. “Fraudsters have been undercutting us for years, scaring off repeat visitors.” Critics, however, whisper concerns over due process—will the probe be swift and fair, or a drag on legitimate businesses?
As Uganda eyes a post-pandemic tourism boom, the UTB vows deeper vetting and stiffer penalties to weed out the wolves in tour guide clothing. For now, adventure-seekers: double-check your operator’s creds on the UTB registry. The board promises updates as the investigation unfolds, but one thing’s clear—Uganda’s wild wonders deserve guardians, not grifters.
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