The Chief Magistrates Court in Entebbe has convicted and sentenced Godfrey Paul Mpamu to three years in Prison for defrauding tourists.
The Court presided over by Her Worship Stella Akwong ordered Mpamu to spend 36 months in jail, and pay UGX 19.8 million for the offences of obtaining money by false pretense, the ruling followed Mpamu’s own plea of guilty.
On August 30, 2021, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), received complaints from tourists Garcia Grancisco, Gonzalez Maria, Merino Victor, Yarrow William Harold and Merino David who claimed that they had paid Mpamu of WildPaw Safaris, 3000 Euros and US dollar 2000 to secure for them Gorilla Tracking Permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The Tourists further alleged that Mpamu, disappeared with the money after abandoning them in the motor vehicle which he had used to transport them to the park.
According to Bashir Hangi the UWA Communications Manager, Mpamu was later arrested by Police on October 10, and arraigned to court on October 15, he was remanded to Kitalya prisons until when he was sentenced.
Hangi said that as UWA, they welcome the conviction of Mpamu, and warned the public against participation in criminal activities of defrauding tourists.
He condemned the vice of abandoning tourists in the park, saying this not only puts UWA in an embarrassing situation but also dents the image of destination Uganda.
Hangi advised the public to always verify with the Uganda Tourism Bard and Association of Uganda Tor Operators for the authenticity of the tour Operators they deal with before extending any payments.