(Posted 17th October 2023)
Following the killing of two tourists and their guide in Queen Elizabeth National Park, along the Katwe Road area earlier today evening, have Ugandan security forces deployed to hunt for the yet unknown assailants.
The area is not far from the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where in the Eastern part of that country widespread unrest has been witnessed for decades.
Subsequently has the Uganda Wildlife Authority issued a statement on the situation which has been made available to ATCNews and reads as follows:
Kampala, October 17, 2023 – Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is deeply saddened to
announce a tragic incident that occurred at Nyamunuka along Katwe Road, involving
two tourists and their guide.
We regret to report that all three individuals were attacked today evening and killed by
unknown assailants, who also set their vehicle ablaze. The deceased whose names are
withheld, include a Ugandan, a UK citizen and a South African citizen. They were
travelling under Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris, a local tour company.
In response to this incident, UWA has informed the Uganda Police Force and other
security agencies who are working diligently to establish the precise sequence of events
leading up to this horrific incident and to identify those responsible.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, and
we share in their grief during this difficult time. The safety and security of tourists
visiting our protected areas is of utmost importance to us.
We urge the public to remain patient and allow the investigative process to run its
course, while refraining from spreading unverified information. Your cooperation is
essential in bringing those responsible to justice.
All our parks remain open to visitors and we continue to work with other security
agencies to ensure that all people who visit our protected areas are safe.
ATCNews also extends condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased. ATCNews will monitor the situation and provide updated information to readers as and when available.
Since the incident has Mr. Fred Enanga, a police spokesperson, said in a statement that extremist rebels usually based in the east of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo had carried out the “cowardly terrorist attack”.
He said the security forces “responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels”.
Only last week was a truck along the road to the Mpondwe border post between Uganda and the DR Congo ambushed, which is a location in the wider vicinity of Queen Elizabeth National Park. During that attack were two Ugandans killed.
