US president, Donald Trump has tasked Ugandan authorities to find ‘the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide’.
‘‘Bring them to justice openly and quickly!’‘ the president tweeted today, adding that it is the only way ‘people will feel safe going there’.
This tweet from the US President followed an earlier one that he released in the immediate aftermath of the confirmation of the news that the kidnapped American tourist Endicott had been rescued.
“Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families!” Trump had tweeted earlier.
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday reassured tourists that ‘Uganda is safe’, describing last week’s kidnappers as ‘isolated packets of criminals’.
Uganda Police also issued a statement earlier today, reassuring visitors to Uganda of safety, while at the same time sharing the latest updates on the hunt for the criminals.
‘‘The operation to arrest the culprits is ongoing with the close coordination of our counterparts from the DRC, whom we have been working with for the last 5 days,’‘ read part of the Police statement.
The Police also revealed that the victim who had been held captive together with her safari guide, Jean Paul Mirenge, were released because of the implicit threat of the use of force, after the armed captors, knew they were being pursued.’
On his part President Yoweri Museveni has insisted the country is safe for travellers, while vowing to further strengthen security in national parks.
“Uganda is safe,” Museveni wrote on Twitter yesterday, adding that authorities would “deal with these isolated pockets of criminals” and “continue to improve security in our parks”.
“Come and enjoy the Pearl of Africa,” he said.