President Yoweri Museveni has assured Ugandans and tourists alike that his administration will “continue to improve the security in our parks”, a day after an American tourist and a Ugandan safari driver were rescued after being abducted earlier last week.
“We shall deal with these isolated pockets of criminals,” the President said, in reference to Tuesday’s kidnapping episode that had US national Sue Kimberly Endecott and game driver Jean-Paul Mirenge abducted by unknown gunmen in Queen Elizabeth National Park in south-western Uganda.
The pair were reportedly whisked off after being besieged by the group at gunpoint during an evening game drive inside the sprawling park, one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations.
At the time, they were with an elderly couple – Martin Julius and wife Barbel – who were left behind.
Five days after going missing, Ugandan authorities announced that they had rescued the pair, sending a rippling sense of relief particularly to the family and friends of the victims.
‘Come and enjoy the Pearl of Africa’
President Museveni, in a tweet Monday, said he has since been briefed by security officials about the rescue operation. And his extended message, also on Twitter, was of reassurance.
“I want to reassure the country and our tourists that Uganda is safe and we shall continue to improve the security in our parks. Come and enjoy the Pearl of Africa,” he said.
A recent survey conducted annually by InterNations, an international community and information site for people who live and work abroad, indicates that Uganda ranks fifth among the top 10 countries globally where expatriates easily make new friends and generally feel at home.
The ExpatInside survey notes that while many people struggle to find friends when they move abroad, Uganda “has always been an excellent destination for expats looking to find friends easily”.
Rescue
The Police and sister security agencies on Sunday, 7th April, 2019, rescued Ms. Kimberley Sue Endicott, an American tourist together with the senior tour guide. Jean Paul, who were kidnapped on gunpoint last Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019, while on an evening game drive at Queen Elizabeth National park.
The two were recovered unharmed, in good health and in the safe hands of the joint security team.