American tourist kidnapped in Uganda, rescued from a national park

KAMPALA: An American tourist and a tour guide that doubled as her driver who were kidnapped in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park have been rescued, Ugandan authorities confirmed.

In a statement released on social media, the Uganda Police Force said, “Police and its sister security agencies have today rescued Ms.Kimberley Sue, an American tourist together with her guide who were kidnapped while on an evening game drive at Queen Elizabeth National park.”

Ugandan President Yoweri Musuveni reacted to the news, saying, “Last evening, security officials briefed me about the rescue of American tourist Kimberly Sue and her Ugandan guide, Jean Paul Mirenge, who had been kidnapped by criminals in Queen Elizabeth National Park.”

US President Donald Trump celebrated the news, tweeting “God bless them and their families!” in reference to the rescued pair.

The duo were kidnapped at the park on 2 April.

The UNESCO site is close to Uganda’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to Ofwono Opondo, Uganda’s government spokesman, the two were rescued in the DRC and brought safely back to Uganda.

“The kidnappers have escaped and operations continue,” said Opondo.Polly Namaye, Uganda police spokesperson, said the duo have been returned to the western district of Kanungu where they were abducted from on Tuesday.

“Thanks to the untiring efforts of the teams carrying out this operation. More related information will be shared with you as soon as we get it,” said Namaye in a press statement.

The tourist and her guide were ambushed and abducted lat week near Katoke Gate at Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The national park is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destination. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of $500,000.