Unknown event in Western Region, Uganda on Wed 18th October 2023

Uganda Queen Elizabeth National Park attack: Honeymooning couple among three dead  

A couple on their honeymoon and their guide were killed in a "cowardly terrorist attack" at a national park in south-west Uganda, authorities say.

Uganda's police said the trio were killed, and their vehicle burned, in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Police said joint forces were pursuing suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group.

Uganda's president said the tourists were from the UK and South Africa, while their guide was Ugandan.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Yoweri Museveni added the Ugandan High Commission in the UK would provide support to the families of the murdered couple.

The UK's foreign office said it was in contact with the family of a British national following an incident at the park.

The ADF is an IS-linked Islamist group which traces its roots to Uganda but operates mainly in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two countries have intensified operations targeting the group in recent months.

On Monday, Uganda's president said police had foiled a plot, allegedly planned by ADF militants, to bomb churches in the country's central Butambala district.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said on X, formerly known as Twitter: "We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

"The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt."

He added the police are "aggressively pursuing" the suspected rebels, and expressed "our deepest condolences to the families of the victims".

The police force also posted a photograph of a green four-wheel-drive vehicle on fire.

Bashir Hangi, spokesperson for the Uganda Wildlife Authority, said the attack took place on Tuesday evening.

The authority said in a statement all parks remain open, adding: "We urge the public to remain patient and allow the investigative process to run its course."

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Uganda, warning the "attackers remain at large".

It is advising against "all but essential travel" to Queen Elizabeth National Park, adding that anyone in the park should "follow the advice of local security authorities".

"If you are able to do so safely, you should consider leaving the area," it said.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British national following an incident at Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. We are in close contact with the local authorities."

"British nationals in the area should follow our travel advice and contact us if they require assistance."