American woman kidnapped for $500,000 ransom while on safari in Uganda

Gunmen seize 35-year-old and her local guide, leaving 'elderly couple' behind in vehicle

An American woman touring one of Uganda’s most popular safari destinations has been kidnapped with her local guide and is being held for ransom for $500,000 (£380,000), authorities said.

Ugandan security forces said they were searching Queen Elizabeth National Park, the site of Tuesday's abduction, for the two victims and their kidnappers.

The park, home to more than 600 bird species and some 2,500 elephants, is generally regarded as safe for tourists.

The kidnapping occurred between 6pm and 7pm, while the 35-year-old and her guide, accompanied by two other tourists, were on a game drive in the park, police said.

A group of gunmen stopped their vehicle and seized the woman and the guide.

The gunmen left behind the two other tourists, who were described by Ugandan police as an elderly couple.

The kidnappers later used the American’s cellphone to demand the $500,000 ransom, police said.

The park is in southwestern Uganda near the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In their statement, police said that security forces within the park had “cut off all exit areas” along the border with Congo.

In 1999, eight tourists, including a US couple and four Ugandan park employees were killed in a national park to the south of where Tuesday’s kidnapping occurred.

The perpetrators were rebels believed to be linked to ethnic Hutu militias involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

New York Times