Africa
02:23, 20-Apr-2019
Ugandan police charge man with kidnapping of US tourist
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Ugandan police charged 43-year-old Byaruhanga Onesmus with the kidnapping of an American tourist and her Ugandan guide in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kimberley Sue Endicott and Jean Paul Mirenge were abducted at gunpoint while on a game drive on April 2.
Police say 43-year-old Byaruhanga, a former convict, planned the kidnapping. He is also accused of other crimes that include the murder of a resident in Kanungu town council.
The kidnappers made frequent demands for a ransom of $500,000 using their victims' cell phones.
Endicott and Mirenge were rescued unharmed from the Democratic Republic of Congo and brought back to Uganda on April 7.
Eight people were subsequently arrested by a joint task force of the Ugandan security services and US military representatives.
Police say Byaruhanga surveilled the movement of Endicott and passed on information that facilitated the kidnapping.
Byaruhanga was charged with three counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of kidnap with intent to procure a ransom.
Police plan to file additional charges against Byaruhanga and the other suspects. The other suspects also face similar charges of kidnap.
Police also say they will investigate the circumstances that led to members of the suspected kidnapping ring being granted bail.