U.S President Donald Trump has tasked Ugandan government to find kidnappers who held an American tourist and a guide hostage before demanding for $500,000 ransom.
According to police, American tourist, Kimberley Sue Endicott and her guide Jean Paul Mirenge, who were last week kidnapped in Queen Elizabeth National Park were on Sunday ‘rescued’ by joint security apparatus near the DRC border. Kimberley was today (Monday) handed over to the US Embassy in Uganda.
Despite the fact that the American has been released, President Trump says that the Ugandan government must do much to bring the kidnappers to book if tourists are to feel safe in Uganda.
“Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there. Bring them to justice openly and quickly,” Trump tweeted.
On Monday, Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga insisted that the American tourist and guide were rescued by security forces and denied allegations that there was negotiation of ransom with kidnappers before they were released.
“The victim who had been held captive together with her safari guide, Jean Paul Mirenge, were released because of the implicit threat of the use of force, after the armed captors, knew they were being pursued,” Enanga said adding, “At this stage we cannot provide specific details on how the rescue mission was accomplished, for future operational security and tactical reasons.”
The Police Spokesperson said the operation to arrest the culprits is ongoing “with the close coordination of our counterparts from the DRC, whom we have been working with for the last 5 days.”
“We want to reassure all our citizens and visitors, that their safety and security is our number one priority. The successful recovery of the captives, serves as a reminder to those enemies who want to harm our own people including visitors, that we will do everything possible within our means to defend them,” he said.
