UK Issues Stern Warning: Stay Away from Uganda Park After Brutal Attack.

In a spine-chilling incident, tourists met a gruesome fate in a Ugandan park, leaving one British citizen and their local guide dead at the hands of suspected ADF rebels. The UK government, unimpressed and concerned, issued a severe warning on Wednesday, advising its citizens to steer clear of the infamous Ugandan park where this dreadful attack occurred.

These unfortunate victims were on a safari expedition in the Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwestern Uganda, when heartless gunmen attacked them, setting their vehicle ablaze, and turning their adventure into a nightmare. As a result, the British Foreign Office has decided to wave the red flag, recommending that travel to this notorious park should be considered only if absolutely necessary.

Uganda’s wildlife authorities revealed that the victims included a South African tourist and a local Ugandan guide. The blame for this ruthless attack falls on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has suspicious links to the so-called Islamic State group.

The UK’s official stance advises, “If you are able to do so safely, you should consider leaving the area.” This dire warning underscores the life-threatening risk associated with visiting this perilous region.

Queen Elizabeth Park shares a border with the DRC, which is home to the renowned Virunga National Park, housing rare mountain gorillas. Unfortunately, armed groups are believed to operate in this volatile vicinity.

Tragically, this is not the first time tourists have fallen prey to violence in this region. In 2019, a US tourist and her guide were kidnapped by four gunmen during an evening game drive in this same Ugandan park, and their release only came after a hefty ransom was paid.

The ADF, initially a Ugandan rebel coalition, has a dark history, primarily composed of Muslims opposing President Yoweri Museveni. Since its establishment in eastern DRC in 1995, it has spiraled into one of the deadliest outlawed forces in this chronically turbulent region. With a gruesome track record of massacres, kidnappings, and looting, the death toll linked to ADF stands in the thousands.

Earlier this year, in June, ADF fighters unleashed terror, killing 42 people, including 37 students in a Ugandan high school near the border with the DRC. Such horrifying incidents cast a long shadow over the safety of visitors.

While tourism significantly contributes to Uganda’s economy, accounting for nearly 10 percent of its GDP, the safety of travelers should remain paramount. Ugandan wildlife officials maintain that all parks will remain open despite the heinous attack on Tuesday. However, visitors must weigh the risks against their desire for adventure and take the UK’s stark warning into account.