03 Apr 2019 | 06:23 PM UTC
Uganda: Armed men kidnaps two, including foreigner in Western region April 2
Armed group kidnaps US national, local driver in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Western region) April 2; border exits to DRC temporarily closed
Event
Unidentified armed men kidnapped a US national and her driver in Queen Elizabeth National Park (Western region) on Tuesday, April 2. Officials indicate the assailants targeted a tourism group conducting a game drive on Tuesday evening (local time), abducting two of the six people in the group; the kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of USD 500,000 for the American's release. Security forces have been deployed to the area to pursue the assailants, while authorities have temporarily closed all border crossings along the Uganda-DRC border.
Context
Ugandan police acknowledged a series of kidnap incidents in 2018, including 42 such cases through mid-May. While the government hasn't published annual crime statistics in recent years, monitoring groups report Uganda experienced 24 kidnaps in 2017 and only three in 2014.
Advice
Individuals present near the Queen Elizabeth National Park area are advised to monitor developments in the situation and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.
