Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has named the foreign tourists who were among the three people killed in an attack at Queen Elizabeth National Park on Tuesday.
In the statement published by the UWA Manager Communications Bashir Hangi, he said that the tragic incident occurred at Nyamunuka along Katwe Road, involving two tourists and their guide.
“We regret to report that all three individuals were attacked on Tuesday 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,” Hangi said.
He highlighted that the tourists were travelling under Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris, a local tour company.
UWA said that the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies were working diligently to establish the precise sequence of events leading up to this horrific incident and to identify those responsible.
Hangi extended UWA’s heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, saying; “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.”
He urged 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,” he said.
It is however suspected that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels would have been behind the tragic incident.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga said: “We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt. Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels.”
Photos shared widely on different social media platforms showed bodies of the victims lying in a pool of blood near a burning tour vehicle in which the victims were travelling before the attack.
On April 2, 2019, an American tourist Kimberly Endicott and her guide Jean- Paul Mirenge were kidnapped by suspected terrorists at QENP. The government paid ransom for their release five days later.
The attack comes days after President Museveni said on Sunday that security forces had foiled a bomb attack on churches by ADF rebel group.