Kasese, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) insurgents carried out a deadly attack on Tuesday evening, claiming the lives of two foreign tourists and a local resident in Western Uganda’s Kasese region. This shocking incident occurred along Katwe Road, within the boundaries of Queen Elizabeth National Park, between Lake Nyamunuka and Kabatoro.
Uganda Police issued a statement condemning the “cowardly terrorist attack,” revealing that the victims were killed, and their safari vehicle was set ablaze. Security forces acted promptly upon receiving the information and have launched an aggressive pursuit of the suspected ADF rebels. The statement also conveyed deep condolences to the families of the victims.
Disturbing images of the victims and the burning vehicle circulated on social media platforms. Queen Elizabeth National Park, situated near the Rwenzori Mountains and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border, has been a focal point for the Ugandan military’s ongoing operation against ADF rebels since November 2021.
Just last week, the rebels attacked Kasese again, resulting in the death of one person and the burning of a trailer at the Mpondwe Lhubiriha border. Earlier in June, the same rebel group had set fire to a trailer, claiming the lives of 41 schoolchildren.
The recent surge in attacks comes in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni’s praise for the Ugandan military’s air strikes on ADF bases inside the Congo. President Museveni confirmed that these attacks forced the ADF terrorists to flee their Congolese sanctuaries and attempt to carry out random acts of terror in Uganda.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals to the nearest police authorities, emphasizing that even returning relatives who have been away for an extended period should be scrutinized.
In his prior statements, President Museveni had detailed the UPDF’s successful airstrikes on ADF targets, highlighting significant casualties among the rebels, including the demise of notorious ADF leader Meddie Nkalubo. Nkalubo was identified as the mastermind behind recent bomb threats in Kampala, which the security forces managed to intercept and safely neutralize.
. @FredEnanga1 "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. Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively… pic.twitter.com/fuoL1bEsvs
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) October 17, 2023
