Two tourists in Kasese and their guide on a wildlife safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park have been attacked and killed on spot by unidentified assassins. Among these were; a British Tourist and a South African Tourist who were on a honeymoon safari and a tour guide who doubled as their driver were attacked in a safari vehicle by gunmen, shot and their vehicle set on fire in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda.
In an official statement released by Uganda Police on “X” platform, the police confirmed that the perpetrators have been identified as the Allied Democratic Forces of Congo (ADF). Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, issued a warning and stated that they had initiated an investigation into the assailants.
However, Minister of Internal Security Affairs Severino Kahinda Otafire has stated that there is uncertainty regarding whether the perpetrators of the tourist’s killing were ADF forces or merely thieves known for targeting individuals to rob them of their belongings.
“I saw it and I received a report. However, we need to conduct a thorough investigation as it could involve either terrorists or thieves. It’s crucial for law enforcement not to hastily link the case to the ADF. They should conduct a comprehensive inquiry to properly address the situation,” stated Otafire.
The Chairperson of Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), Daudi Migereko, expressed dismay at the tragic and brutal loss of beloved tourists. He voiced concerns that such acts of violence could instill fear in potential visitors from Europe and other countries, deterring them from choosing Uganda due to concerns about safety and internal instabilities.
“It is really absurd to have got such an horrible attacker from the unidentified terrorists to attack our clients in the park but security organs have raised concerns on the ground to fall up the uplink of the assassination so as we can guarantee safety for other travelers and tourists who also uses the same route,” said Migereko.
The designated representative of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Hangi Bashir, has refuted the allegations asserting that the terrorism incident took place within Queen Elizabeth National Park. He firmly stated that this claim is inaccurate. Additionally, he elaborated that they had duly informed the respective embassies regarding the unfortunate incident involving their citizens. However, the embassies discouraged them from releasing or revealing the identities of the deceased individuals.
“There have been no alterations, except that we notified both the UK embassy and the South African Embassy regarding the terrorism-related deaths. They urged us not to reveal the identities of the deceased individuals, so the embassy had to engage with the families of those who passed away. Regrettably, we have yet to receive the report regarding the intended target of the assassin,” Bashir explained.
He thus insisted and said that it was a public road not national park channels or trucks of tourists but it was a public road heading to Katwe, Kasese Road-Bushenyi.
In a tragic incident at Queen Elizabeth National Park, a local tour guide, along with two foreign tourists identified as Eric Alyai, fell victim to a suspected attack by the Allied Democratic Forces. Eric Alyai, an employee of Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris, a prominent local tour operator was among those tragically affected.
The devastating event has sent shockwaves through the Uganda tourism community, leaving tour companies and travelers who had planned trips to Uganda gripped with fear for their safety.
Authorities, including the police and security agencies, have been swift to reassure tourists, urging them to remain composed. They emphasized that they have bolstered security measures across Uganda and are actively working to apprehend the perpetrators behind this terrible act.
General Kahinda Otafiire conveyed this information while speaking with the Central Broadcasting Service, addressing the heightened concerns and anxiety caused by the act of terror.
About Queen Elizabeth National Park
Located in the southwest part of the country, about 400 km from Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s second-largest and most popular conservation area measuring 1,978 square kilometers. The park is only surpassed by the Murchison Falls National Park, the largest and most visited national park in Uganda.
Gazetted in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, this world bisophere reserve is popular for its rich biodiversity including the tree climbing lions which are a rare species of animals found in the famous Ishasha Sector, making this park the second area in Africa popular for tree climbing lions.
The park has been recognized by Birding International as an International Birding Area hosting over 600 bird species. The not to miss two-hour boat ride along the Kazinga Channel is also another attraction of the park, an adventure that offers a whole new experience for tourists exploring Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
