Security Flaw Led To Attack On Uganda’s Park-Museveni

By Samuel Ouma

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has linked the country's Queen Elizabeth National Park terror incident on Tuesday to security flaws.

The attack, allegedly staged by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a Democratic Republic of Congo-based militia group, left three people dead.

Among the dead were two tourists on their honeymoon and a Ugandan driver.

In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Museveni said the security agencies erred in handling the terrorists.

“The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was guarding tourists once they were in the Park. However, apparently, the tourists were arriving and departing individually. It is this gap that they used,” said Museveni.

He also criticized the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) for not employing more efficient means of tracing fugitive groups from neighbouring DRC.

“UPDF has been using one form of tracking these fugitive groups from Congo, Kufuata Nyayo- following their tracks (ekisinde, ekirari). There are more reliable ways of tracking, which we have discussed with the Army,” stated the Ugandan leader.

While referring to the attack as a cowardly act, Museveni expressed his disappointment the lives of the trio were cut short by the militants.

The Ugandan President vowed to crackdown on those responsible for the killing of the three and bring them to book.

“It was a cowardly act on the part of the terrorists attacking innocent civilians and tragic for the couple who were newlyweds and visiting Uganda on their honeymoon. Of course, these terrorists will pay with their own wretched lives,” added Museveni.

He stated that the Uganda High Commission in the UK will contact the victims' relatives and give whatever assistance is required.

At the same time, he complimented Ugandan police for foiling the October 15 bombing of churches in the central Butambala area.