U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday urged Uganda to find the kidnappers of an American tourist who has been freed amid conflicting reports over whether a ransom was paid for her release.
Kim Endicott of Costa Mesa, California, was released by her abductors over the weekend and was to be turned over to the U.S. ambassador Monday, Ugandan police said.
Endicott and her Ugandan driver were both safe after the five-day ordeal. They were taken from Queen Elizabeth National Park across the border to Congo, according to Ugandan authorities.
Trump pressed Uganda’s government to capture the culprits Monday.
“Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there. Bring them to justice openly and quickly!” he tweeted.
Over the weekend, Trump tweeted that he was pleased the tourist and guide had been released.
Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019
Ugandan police spokesman Fred Enanga said he did not believe a ransom had been paid.
“I have indicated to you that we don’t do ransom,” he said Monday at a news conference in the Ugandan capital of Kampala.
A Uganda-based tour official said, however, that a ransom was paid to secure Endicott’s freedom. The tourist was released, “not rescued,” after money was paid “otherwise she wouldn’t be back,” said the tourism professional with knowledge of Endicott’s trip.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Many officials, including from the U.S. Embassy, were involved in efforts to secure the release of the kidnapping victims, he said. He couldn’t say how much was paid or who paid.
Ugandan officials have said the kidnapping victims were rescued from armed kidnappers who are still at large.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Twitter that the security forces “shall deal with these isolated pockets of criminals.”
We shall deal with these isolated pockets of criminals. 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.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 8, 2019
The kidnappers had demanded a $500,000 ransom after grabbing Endicott and her driver from a group of tourists on an evening game drive on April 2, police said.
“It’s completely shocking,” Sandy Benton, a friend of Endicott’s in Southern California, said Monday. “I never thought anything like this would happen to her.”
Benton called Endicott an adventure seeker and world traveler, saying it wasn’t surprising that she would travel to Uganda on her own.
“I just prayed for her and hoped for safe return,” Benton said. “I’m glad to hear she’ll be on her way home soon. I can’t imagine how traumatic that was for her. She had to be terrified.”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week at an event for families of U.S. citizens held captive overseas that he understands some people want to do anything to get their loved ones back but paying ransom would just lead to more kidnappings.
