In a recent incident in Uganda, a group of tourists, reported to be newlyweds on their honeymoon, along with their Ugandan driver, were attacked and killed. The attack occurred at Nyamunuka along the Katwe-Kabatooro road in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, located in the Kasese district of western Uganda. The suspects behind this incident are believed to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.
Ugandan President Museveni has strongly condemned this attack, describing it as a “cowardly act” and vowing that the assailants will face consequences. He also expressed condolences and promised support to the families of the deceased tourists. The President emphasized the need for enhanced security measures to prevent such incidents in the future, particularly focusing on eradicating the ADF remnants.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park, which shares a border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is known for its rare mountain gorillas and is also believed to be an area where armed groups operate. President Museveni explained that the ADF remnants took advantage of gaps in security, particularly when tourists arrived and departed individually, which allowed the attackers to stage this tragic event.
The Ugandan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) have been actively pursuing these fugitive groups from the DRC by tracking their movements. President Museveni expressed confidence that the ADF, similar to other rebel groups in the past, will eventually be defeated.
The ADF is historically a Ugandan rebel coalition, with a significant portion of its members being Muslims who opposed President Museveni’s government. Established in eastern DRC in 1995, the ADF has a long history of violence, including massacres, kidnappings, and looting, leading to a high death toll.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time that tourists have been targeted in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In 2019, an American tourist and her guide were kidnapped by suspected terrorists in the same area, and a ransom was paid for their release.
The recent attack occurred shortly after President Museveni announced that security forces had thwarted a bomb attack on churches by the ADF rebel group. The ADF had manufactured two bombs intended for use in churches in Kibibi and Butambala, but the devices were reported to the police and successfully defused.
The ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, adding to concerns about their activities. In a previous incident, a group of suspected ADF individuals attacked a vehicle, resulting in the deaths of two people.
President Museveni has been providing updates on successful army operations inside the DRC and warned the public to remain vigilant against potential threats. There have been previous incidents of attempted bombings and attacks in Uganda attributed to the ADF.
The international community, including the United Nations, has recognized the ADF’s ties to extremist groups and its destabilizing impact on the region. Efforts are ongoing to address this security challenge and protect the safety of tourists and local residents in the affected areas.
