Tragic terrorist attack claims lives of tourists, guide in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park

Two tourists, one from the United Kingdom and the other from South Africa, along with their Ugandan guide, lost their lives in a brutal terrorist attack that occurred at Queen Elizabeth National Park in south-west Uganda. Ugandan authorities have described the attack as “cowardly” and have launched a relentless pursuit of the suspected perpetrators.

Uganda’s police department disclosed that the horrifying attack unfolded as the victims were on safari in the picturesque park. Their vehicle was not only ambushed but also set ablaze in a display of extreme violence. The joint forces have initiated a manhunt for members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, believed to be responsible for this horrendous act.

The ADF, an Islamist group with links to ISIS, originally hails from Uganda but has been primarily operating in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have escalated their efforts to dismantle this militant group in recent months.

Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson, expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and made a firm commitment to relentlessly pursue the suspected rebels. He shared this information on the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, and also posted a striking image of the tourists’ vehicle engulfed in flames.

Bashir Hangi, the spokesperson for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, revealed that this tragic event occurred during the evening hours of Tuesday, shaking the park’s tranquility. Nevertheless, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has declared that all parks in the region will remain open and urged the public to allow the investigative process to unfold.

The UK Foreign Office has swiftly updated its travel advisory for Uganda, cautioning that the attackers responsible for this heinous crime are still at large. Travelers in the area have been advised to exercise vigilance and follow the guidance of local security authorities and tour operators. Ugandan authorities have recommended that anyone present in Queen Elizabeth National Park should remain in place overnight, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures in light of this devastating attack.