Brit newlywed couple slaughtered by ISIS-linked terrorists were on safari honeymoon as ‘wretched’ killers are hunted
NEWLYWED Brits were on a honeymoon safari in Uganda when they were killed by attackers linked to ISIS.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said that they are hunting down the attackers who killed a British-born man, his South African wife, and their Ugandan tour guide.
According to park officials, they were targeted in Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwest Uganda.
Their vehicle was set alight, and the trio were gunned down.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Museveni said: “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.”
The couple’s church has also posted a heartfelt tribute to them on its Facebook page. It reads: “We wake today with a heavy heart, and the deepest sorrow to hear the devastating news.
“This is for so many of us, incomprehensible. Our thoughts are with their families, their much loved friends and all who knew them.
“We also remember the family of their Ugandan guide, who was also killed.
“Words cannot express how to react to this dreadful news.”
Ugandan authorities have blamed the ISIS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) for the attack.
The ADF has historically been a Ugandan rebel coalition comprised of Muslims who are opposed to Museveni.
The group pledged their allegiance to the central African division of ISIS in 2019.
They have been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians, and have also been accused of escalating the kidnappings of foreign tourists.
Felix Kulayigye, an Ugandan military spokesman, has said that a joint army, police and wildlife authority force have deployed all resources to pursue the terrorists.
Kulayigye has urged the population to be vigilant and cooperative, but also sought to assure tourists that Uganda is a safe country.
On X, President Museveni added: “Killing these wretched individuals will not bring back the lives of these wonderful friends of Uganda who had chosen our country for their honeymoon out of the 193 countries of the world.
“Our High Commission in the UK will reach out to their families and provide whatever support is necessary in this tragic situation.”
He asserted that Ugandan authorities will ensure that “mistakes” like this never happen again.
Britain has issued a warning against all but essential travel, while France has also told its nationals to be prudent.