(Left - right) Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU) Col. Edith Nakalema, the Director Biodiversity Management at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) John Makombo and the complainant Hajji Isaac Mulindwa in a meeting where the SHIPU head Intervenes in extortion case involving UWA staff at the SHIPU Head officers in Nakasero on the 25th July 2025. Photo by Tony Rujuta.
A briefing where the SHIPU head, Col Nakalema (L) announced Intervention in extortion case involving UWA staff, Dr Mbabazi
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema has today intervened in an extortion case involving an employee of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Dr. Rachael Mbabazi, a manager at UWA extorted Shs 47 million from Hajji Isaac Mulindwa who wanted to purchase wild animals and put them to his 640-acre ranch at Busikili, Matugga.
Hajji Mulindwa paid the money in question to Mbabazi through her private bank and Mobile Money accounts. The money was meant to transport the animals to the victim’s farm.
He additionally paid $8,000 to UWA bank account as payment for the wild animals and subsequently fulfilled all the other necessary requirements in May 2023.
“The issue remains that the officer who is implicated should leave the government office,” said Nalkalema. She added that it’s not right for any government officer to receive money in their private bank account or mobile money account.
“What Mbabazi did was an abuse of office. Hajji was delayed despite fulfilling all that was required of him and getting a license from UWA.”
Although Hajji Mulindwa later received a license from UWA, giving him authority to own 100 wild animals privately, he only received 31 out of 100 animals.
Addressing the press at SHIPU offices in Kampala, Col. Nakalema revealed that her office is mandated to ensure that wrong elements like Mbabazi leave government offices.
“It’s not UWA which frustrated you Hajji, it was one of their staff. Our role as SHIPU is to coordinate all government ministries and agencies to ensure that investors are not delayed or frustrated as long as they have fulfilled what is required of them,” she said.
Col. Nakalema further urged Ugandans, particularly the investors not to deal with individuals when it comes to doing business with the government.
“I would like to inform our esteemed citizens but particularly our investors not to deal with individuals, but institutions. The problem of dealing with individuals is that you expose yourself to extortion.”
Representing, Dr. Musinguzi, Mr. John Makombo, the Director Biodiversity Management, UWA, said as the authority, they have closely worked with SHIPU to ensure that they reasonably conclude this matter.
“We received this complaint on Monday, and we are here today on behalf of the UWA Executive Director to see how we can mitigate the problem. We regret the incident, and we are going to deliver the rest of the animals to Mzee,” Mr. Makombo stated.
He regreted what Dr Mbabazi did and promised that they were going to ensure that they make their staff do better and ensure that the image of UWA is protected.
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