Uganda President Yoweri Museveni on Monday assured tourists of their safety in Uganda, noting that the security in national parks will be enhanced.
This comes a day after a joint security operation rescued American tourist Kimberly Endicott and her guide Jean-Paul Mirenge who had been kidnapped on April 2.
The president tweeted that tourists should come and enjoy the beauty of the east African country.
“We shall deal with these isolated pockets of criminals,” said Museveni.
“However, I want to reassure the country and our tourists that Uganda is safe and we shall continue to improve the security in our parks. Come and enjoy the Pearl of Africa.”
The two were kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the western part of the country, and according to the police, the kidnappers had asked for a ransom of $500,000.
The two were rescued in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tourism is a key revenue generator for Uganda which generates on average $1.5 billion.
However, despite the president’s reassurance, the American government is calling for the arrest and prosecution of the kidnappers before American tourists feel safe traveling to Uganda.
On Monday U.S president Donald Trump tweeted that “Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there.”
