Ugandan security agencies are hunting for suspected gunmen who kidnapped an American tourist and her driver in a Ugandan national park.
According to a Uganda police statement four suspected gunmen allegedly kidnapped the tourist and her driver from Queen Elizabeth National Park yesterday and have demanded a ransom of $500,000.
“The kidnappers, using the victim’s phone, have demanded $500,000. We strongly believe this ransom is the reason behind the kidnap,” said a statement from deputy police spokeswoman Polly Namaye.
The kidnapped tourist has identified as 35-year-old Kimberley Sue Endecott, a US citizen and one John Paul, a tour guide and driver attached to World Frontiers Safaris Uganda.
Namaye in the statement further notes that the police have dispatched an elite squad from the tourism police to reinforce the security teams at Queen Elizabeth National Park, to actively pursue a group of four unknown gunmen.
According to Uganda government spokesman Ofwono Opondo a joint operation by the Uganda police, Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and Uganda Wildlife Authority game wardens is under way to locate and rescue the kidnapped.
Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of the East African nation’s most famous wildlife reserves, runs along the frontier with conflict-wracked regions of DR Congo, bordering its famous Virunga national park, the oldest in Africa.
CN/abj/APA