Police have arrested a man suspected of defrauding foreign tourists through a fake car-hire and tour company, with one victim reportedly losing $2,215 (about Shs8.9 million).
The suspect, identified as Faisal Kimuli, was arrested on 2 October 2026 following an investigation by the Tourism Police into complaints from foreign tourists.
The investigation began after a Russian tourist reported to the Uganda Tourism Board on 16 August that he had paid $2,215 to FK Car Rental to hire a vehicle, but the car was never delivered.
Police said the company’s website was taken down shortly after the payment was made, while its contact numbers were switched off.
Further complaints from other foreign tourists reportedly revealed a similar pattern. Police said the suspect operated several online platforms advertising gorilla permits, safaris, 4×4 vehicle hire and other tourism services.
According to police, Kimuli used professionally designed adverts, including photographs taken with genuine tourists, to make the businesses appear legitimate.
He allegedly operated under different identities, including “Becky”, “Kim Quinn” and “Habimana Samuel”, while offering tourism services at prices significantly below prevailing market rates.
Police said he typically asked tourists to make advance payments through mobile money or bank transfers, mainly via WhatsApp. He would allegedly claim to be outside Uganda and become unreachable after receiving the money.
Investigators also found that he frequently changed telephone numbers, mobile devices, accounts and websites, allegedly to avoid detection.
Police said investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify other victims and possible accomplices, and trace and recover the money obtained.
The police have urged tourists and members of the public to exercise caution when booking tourism services online.
Tourists seeking gorilla permits have particularly been advised to obtain them directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or use tourism operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board.
