Uganda’s tourism industry has been hit by fresh allegations of fraud after police took Tusubira Annet, the proprietor and operator of Tubale Safaris, to court over claims that she collected thousands of dollars from foreign tourists for safari bookings but failed to deliver the promised services.
According to the Uganda Police Force, the suspect is accused of obtaining money by false pretences in a series of transactions involving foreign tourists who reportedly paid substantial sums for safari arrangements that were never honoured.
The reported transactions exceed US$30,000, raising fresh questions about the safety of tourists booking travel packages through local tour operators and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in Uganda’s lucrative tourism sector.
Police say Tusubira was arrested on October 30, 2026, by officers from Jinja Central Police Station following multiple complaints from tourists who allegedly paid for safari packages through the company’s website, email and WhatsApp platforms.
The police update, dated November 2, states that the suspect was taken to court on November 2, 2026, although the initial date in the statement refers to October 2, an apparent date inconsistency.
Foreign tourists allegedly lose thousands of dollars
Investigations have so far identified several transactions involving tourists from different countries, with individual payments running into thousands of dollars.
On July 18, 2026, Tusubira allegedly obtained approximately US$12,000 from a foreign tourist. The complaint was subsequently reported at Masindi Police Station.
Just 13 days later, on July 31, she allegedly received another US$8,400 from a British tourist. That case was reported at Entebbe Central Police Station.
The allegations continued in August, when an American couple reportedly paid US$12,966 on August 19. The matter was reported at Pakwach Police Station.
In another transaction dated October 30, 2026, the suspect allegedly obtained US$6,228, with the complaint reported to police in Entebbe.
The four reported transactions amount to approximately US$39,594, significantly exceeding the US$30,000 initially highlighted in the police update.
The allegations paint a troubling picture of tourists parting with large sums of money in anticipation of safari experiences in Uganda, only to reportedly find themselves without the services they had paid for.
Tourism licence reportedly withdrawn months before arrest
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the allegations is the reported regulatory history of Tubaale Safaris.
According to information available to police, the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) withdrew the company’s operating licence on July 21, 2026.
If established, this means that some of the alleged transactions occurred after the company’s licence had reportedly been withdrawn.
The July 31 payment of US$8,400, the August 19 payment of US$12,966 and the October 30 payment of US$6,228 all reportedly came after the July 21 licence withdrawal.
This raises serious questions about how the company allegedly continued soliciting and receiving bookings from international tourists despite no longer holding the required operating licence.
It also puts the spotlight on the mechanisms used by tourism regulators to ensure that operators whose licences have been withdrawn stop conducting business and that prospective clients are adequately informed.
For foreign tourists who rely on online platforms to identify Ugandan safari operators, the allegations highlight the risks of booking with businesses whose regulatory status has not been independently verified.
Police appeal for more victims to come forward
Police believe there could be other victims who have not yet reported their complaints.
The Uganda Police Force has therefore urged anyone who made payments to Tubaale Safaris but did not receive the agreed services to report to Jinja Central Police Station or the nearest police station.
Affected tourists are encouraged to provide booking confirmations, bank or mobile money payment records, transaction references, email exchanges, WhatsApp conversations and other relevant documentation to support investigations.
The appeal suggests that investigators are interested in establishing the full scale of the alleged transactions and identifying any additional people who may have lost money.
Tourists warned against unverified safari operators
Police have also issued an advisory urging tourists and members of the public to exercise caution before committing money to safari companies.
Tourists are advised to verify an operator’s current licensing status directly with the Uganda Tourism Board before making bookings or payments.
They should also ensure that the business name appearing on booking documents matches the company’s official licensing details, particularly where payments are directed to accounts bearing different names.
Other precautions include obtaining written itineraries, clear cost breakdowns, payment terms and cancellation or refund policies.
Police further recommend using traceable payment methods, retaining receipts and independently verifying business contact details instead of relying entirely on websites, social media pages or WhatsApp conversations.
Suspected fraud should be reported promptly to the nearest police station, the Uganda Tourism Board or the Tourism Police Unit.
A reputational blow to Uganda’s tourism sector
The allegations come at a time when Uganda continues to market itself internationally as a premier destination for wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking, nature tourism and other travel experiences.
Tour operators play a critical role in connecting international visitors to the country’s tourism attractions. Their credibility is therefore central to maintaining visitor confidence and protecting Uganda’s reputation as a reliable destination.
Cases involving alleged collection of thousands of dollars without delivery of promised services risk undermining that confidence, particularly when foreign visitors are involved.
The reported withdrawal of Tubaale Safaris’ licence, followed by allegations that the company continued accepting payments, makes the case even more concerning.
While Tusubira remains an accused person and the allegations must be tested through the judicial process, the case raises important questions about whether regulatory warnings and licence withdrawals are reaching prospective tourists quickly enough.
For now, police are appealing for more complainants to come forward as investigations continue.
