Minister Kamuntu says rescued American tourist, driver set to return home
American tourist, Kimberly Sue Endicott and her driver, Jean Paul Milenge from Wildfrontiers who were kidnapped on Tuesday at Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth National Park have been found alive.
The search and rescue operation by the army, police and Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers climaxed on Sunday with the rescue of the hostages.
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“We are very pleased to inform Ugandans and the relatives to the hostages that they have been rescued safely. They are in hands of Ugandan security authorities,” Ephraim Kamuntu, the Minister for Tourism said on Sunday evening.
Flanked by the Uganda Tourism Board CEO Lily Ajarova and Uganda Wildlife Authority Executive Director Sam Mwandha, Kamuntu applauded Ugandan security agencies for the good job done in rescuing the duo.
“The capacity of Ugandan security, know -how and strength enabled them to be rescued safe and sound.”
The minister however could not divulge more information in regards the kidnappers who had taken the duo hostage, saying details would be shared later but noted that the duo were never harmed and are currently in a fine condition.
“We shall not do it until time is appropriate and those details will be given”
The Minister applauded the media and communities near Queen Elizabeth National Park for the role they played in ensuring the success of the rescue operation.
“I was very pleased with members of the press and community for being sympathetic and cooperative in helping us rescue these people,” the minister said.
The kidnappers had asked for a $500,000 ransom(shs1,8bn) before releasing the duo but the minister didn’t not divulge more information whether the ransom had been paid or not.
He said the rescued American tourist and her driver are soon being let to return to their homes.
