Road to be named after killed tourists
David Jim Barlow and Emmaretia Cecilia Geyer. PHOTO/COMBO
What you need to know:
- Police on Monday noted that the two bodies of the tourists were still being kept at Mulago hospital mortuary in Kampala.
ICT and National Guidance minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has revealed that Cabinet passed a resolution to name one of the roads in Uganda after the two tourists who were killed in Queen Elizabeth National Park last week.
The minister made the revelation while addressing journalists in Kampala yesterday. He noted that there is no compensation on earth that is worth the three lives lost, but government is willing to offer maximum support to the bereaved families during this tragic time.
“Even the family of their Ugandan driver who was already laid to rest will receive this government support,” he added.
The trio, including David Jim Barlow, a British citizen and his wife, Emmaretia Celia Geyer, a South African national, together with their Ugandan driver, Eric Alyai were killed by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) terrorists in Queen Elizabeth National Park at Nyamunuka- Katwe Road in Kasese District on October 17.
Dr Baryomunsi noted that Uganda is fully collaborating with the High Commissions of the United Kingdom and that of South Africa to ensure the respective families of the deceased receive the emotional, physical and any other support from the Ugandan government.
Police on Monday noted that the two bodies of the tourists were still being kept at Mulago hospital mortuary in Kampala. He added that the bodies will be examined by forensic experts from South Africa and the United Kingdom before being repatriated to the respective countries for burial.
Updating the media on the ongoing pursuit of the suspected rebels behind the killing, Dr Baryomunis revealed that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) together with sister security agencies are still in pursuit of the suspects.
“There is no need for panic among locals and the international community, the murder was committed by a small group of five rebels who were running away from the UPDF’s intensified pursuit in DR Congo. They are being pursued and they will be got,” he said.
He added: “We have also made new security arrangements, not only in Kasese but also the other areas bordering DR Congo, where there could be these kinds of risks. So, our tourists should feel free to walk to any part of the county without fear.”
The minister further urged residents in the border areas with DR Congo to be vigilant and report any suspicious and unknown persons in the communities to police and local authorities.
However, Dr Baryomunsi said government’s amnesty window for the ADF rebels is still open, calling upon those who wish to surrender to do so as soon as possible before they are forcefully hunted out of their hideouts.
