Free - Ugandan police rescue US tourist and driver kidnapped in national park

​“The Police and sister security agencies have today, Sunday, 7th April, 2019, rescued Ms. Kimberley Sue Endicott, an American tourist together with the senior tour guide, Jean-Paul, who were kidnapped on gunpoint last Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019, while on an evening game drive at Queen Elizabeth National park,” the statement read.

Uganda kidnapping American tourist Kimberly Sue Endicott and her tour guide rescued, officials say - Photo by CNN

​Kim Endicott and her Ugandan guide were ambushed in Queen Elizabeth national park and held for $500,000 ransom.
​"Both were rescued from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are safely back in Kanungu district in Uganda," said Ofwono Opondo. "They are back at the lodge and she is expected to be in Kampala tomorrow."

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​"We are aware of reports that a U.S. citizen hostage was recovered on April 7 by Ugandan security officials," a State Department spokesperson told CNN. "Privacy considerations prevent us from commenting further at this time."

Police & its sister security agencies have today rescued Ms.Kimberley Sue, an American tourist together with her guide who were kidnapped while on an evening game drive at Queen Elizabeth National park.The duo are in good health & in the safe hands of the joint security team.

— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) April 7, 2019

​Police had said they would not offer the money, but a ransom was paid by touring company Wild Frontiers to free Endicott and her tour guide, a source with knowledge of the exchange told CNN on Sunday. The handover was "quiet and peaceful," the source said.
A spokesperson with Wild Frontiers Uganda, the company Endicott toured with, said neither Endicott nor her tour guide were harmed. The spokesperson said the identities of the alleged kidnappers have not been revealed.

​Police had said they would not offer the money, but a ransom was paid by touring company Wild Frontiers to free Endicott and her tour guide, a source with knowledge of the exchange told CNN on Sunday. The handover was "quiet and peaceful," the source said.
A spokesperson with Wild Frontiers Uganda, the company Endicott toured with, said neither Endicott nor her tour guide were harmed. The spokesperson said the identities of the alleged kidnappers have not been revealed.

The 35-year-old woman and her Congolese driver were returned to a lodge in the park, ABC News cited a spokesman for the Ugandan safari operation as saying. The kidnappers initially demanded a $500,000 ransom but it is not clear how much was paid.

​After playing golf on Sunday, Donald Trump tweeted: “Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families!”

Pleased to report that the American tourist and tour guide that were abducted in Uganda have been released. God bless them and their families!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2019

​In a Friday statement the state department said the safety and security of US citizens abroad is its highest priority.
“Whenever a US citizen is taken captive abroad, we work tirelessly – in partnership with local authorities – to secure their release and get them home safely,” the statement said.

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