UWA assures tourists of safety at Queen Elizabeth National Park, despite “small” glitch

Uganda Wildlife Authority has assured tourists and locals in Queen Elizabeth National Park that they are safe while in the Game Park.

On Tuesday evening, unknown gunmen attacked a vehicle belonging to Wildfrontiers before kidnapping the driver, Paul Milenge and Kimbley Sue Endecoot, 35, an American tourist while on an evening drive on Edward track between Katoke gate and the Wilderness Camp in Kanungu district.

They have been held captive for now close to four days raising concern over security for tourists in the area.

Speaking to the Nile Post on Friday afternoon, UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha said there is nothing to worry about because the area is safe, despite a small glitch.

“I want to assure you the park is safe. Yes, we had an incident and two of our people were abducted but it was an isolated incident but the park is safe, Visitors continue to come,”Mwandha said.

 

Police on Wednesday said the abductors had requested for a $500,000(shs1.8billion) ransom before releasing the hostages but according to the UWA boss, they are doing everything within their means to get to the top of the situation.

“Nobody should panic and we are doing everything possible to see those who were abducted return home,”Mwandha said.

A joint search and rescue operation that started on Tuesday is still ongoing and on Thursday, personnel from Counter Terrorism Police, UPDF, Special Forces Command and Uganda Wildlife Authority were seen patrolling the area.

The 2056 square kilometer Queen Elizabeth National Park has been secure for both local and foreign tourists for a number of years.