The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has expressed its appreciation to the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) following its recent efforts, which resulted in the elimination of the people believed to have killed two tourists and their guide on Katwe, Kabatoro Road in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the arrest of their leader.
In a statement on the security situation of Uganda’s protected areas dated November 3, 2023, UWA said that they were saddened by the deaths of innocent tourists but reassured potential tourists of the safety of Uganda’s protected areas.
“We are deeply saddened that innocent people were targeted in this unfortunate incident. This obviously raised concerns among potential visitors to Uganda and specifically the wildlife-protected areas. The elimination and arrest of the culprits go a long way in confirming that UWA’s collaboration with other security agencies, especially the UPDF, is bearing fruit. We would like to reassure all potential visitors to Uganda’s wildlife-protected areas that these remain safe destinations for international and domestic tourists alike.”
“The collaboration between the UWA and UPDF in addressing security challenges has been exemplary, and we are confident that we will maintain a safe environment for our visitors to enjoy their time in our protected areas,” the statement read in part.
UWA has noted that it has placed the highest priority on the safety and well-being of visitors to the protected areas and ensures that all necessary measures are in place to prevent and respond to any security risks.
“Our dedicated rangers, in close collaboration with security agencies, diligently patrol the parks and reserves to safeguard our precious wildlife and those who come to witness their magnificence. Furthermore, the use of modern technology such as the earth ranger and the deployment of drones is boosting our surveillance capability over the protected areas to ensure timely detection of threats and deal with them accordingly,” UWA stated.
The Wildlife Authority also stated that it understands the importance of tourism as a vital contributor to Uganda’s economy and that it remains committed to providing an exceptional and secure experience to all visitors.
“We encourage tourists, both local and international, to continue exploring our diverse array of wildlife destinations. Uganda’s unique biodiversity and remarkable wildlife continue to be a source of national pride. We assure you that your safety is our utmost concern, and every effort is being made to maintain a safe and secure environment in all our wildlife protected areas,” UWA further noted.
On November 1, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) spokesperson, Col. Deo Akiiki, said they had killed a significant number of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels on Lake Edward off Kayanja Landing site in Kasese district.
