American Tourist, Ugandan Driver Kidnapped in Queen Elizabeth National Park

By Wilson Kakuru Last updated Apr 3, 2019 1,693 0

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in southwest Uganda. Courtesy photo

Four armed men have ambushed a tourist van that was on a Game Drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The outlaws put the occupants under gunpoint and abducted two of them including a Ugandan driver and an American Citizen.

This happened on Tuesday between 5pm and 7pm, according to a joint statement issued by the Uganda Police, Uganda Tourism Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

“The kidnapping happened between near Katoke Gate in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The other occupants of the van who were left behind managed to contact a few people; who came to their rescue,” the statement reads in part.

The statement adds that all security agencies such as the Uganda Police and the Uganda People’s Defense Forces including wardens from the Uganda Wildlife Authority have joined in the hunt for these outlaws with the main aim of safely securing the hostages. The lives of the kidnapped are a key priority during this process.

“We appeal for calm as we find a lasting solution to this issue. Further information will be shared with the public as it comes in,” the statement concludes.

In the latest statement issued by the Police, operatives are actively pursuing the criminals.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is in southwest Uganda. Leopards roam the Mweya Peninsula, which lies beside Lake Edward. Nearby Lake Katwe is a huge volcanic explosion crater. Boats on the Kazinga Channel float past hippos and Nile crocodiles. Chimpanzees inhabit the Kyambura Gorge. Trails lead to bat caves in the central Maramagambo Forest. The Ishasha area is home to tree-climbing lions and shoebill storks.