Sipopo, Equatorial Guinea | AFP | Gleaming but eerily empty, the luxurious Sipopo resort with its five-star hotel and exclusive facilities rises from a tropical beach, symbolising the dilemma of Equatorial Guinea — a notoriously closed country that has turned to tourism to help fill its coffers. The purpose-built town was …
Read More »Uganda’s tourism growth presents opportunities for hospitality market
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is committed to two hotels in Uganda – Hilton Garden Inn and Hilton Kampala – to serve different market segments. Samantha Muna, the director of development for the hotel brand in East Africa spoke to The Independent’s Isaac Khisa about their plans and opportunities in the …
Read More »‘Uganda still safe for tourists’
Kelley Mac Tavish is the Executive Director Pearl of Africa, Tours and travel Limited. She spoke to The Independent’s Patricia Akankwatsa about the state of Uganda’s tourism opportunities. First, can you briefly describe your company? I opened a tour company in Uganda in 1999 called Pearl of Africa, Tours and …
Read More »Ugandan police charge ‘mastermind’ behind tourist kidnapping
Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Ugandan police said Thursday they had charged the alleged “mastermind” behind the kidnapping of an American tourist and her safari guide, who were later released in exchange for a ransom. Byaruhanga Onesmus, a former convict, was charged in a court in the country’s west with …
Read More »Tourists raise safety queries on Uganda
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A number of international tourists have raised concern about their safety while in Ugandan national parks. This follows the kidnap of US tourist Kimberly Sue Endecott from Queen Elizabeth National Park recently. Kimberly was kidnapped by four gunmen alongside a Ugandan tour guide, Jean-Paul …
Read More »Two arrested as police hunt for kidnappers of US tourist Kimberly
Kanungu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Two men have been arrested and are in custody as Uganda’s security continues the hunt for the four kidnappers of US tourist Kimberly Sue Endicott at Queen Elizabeth Park last week. Police spokesperson Fred Enanga confirmed to URN that there were some arrests made in …
Read More »‘Security errors were made before kidnap of US tourist’
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Tourism Minister Professor Ephraim Kamuntu has admitted that the kidnap of an American tourist and a Ugandan tour guide was a result of a security lapse by officials of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Kimberly Sue Endicott and her Ugandan tour guide Jean Paul Mirenge …
Read More »American tourist rescued after Queen Elizabeth Park kidnap
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & AFP | Reports just in indicate that Kimberly Sue Endicott, an American who was kidnapped for ransom last week in Queen Elizabeth National Park, has been released safely along with her guide Jean Paul Mirenge. According to US website ABC7.com, “the release came after a …
Read More »Uganda steps up manhunt after US tourist and driver kidnapped
Uganda hunt for kidnapped US tourist enters third day Kampala, Uganda | AFP | Ugandan security forces scoured dense bush on Thursday in the hunt for a US tourist and her safari guide who were kidnapped by gunmen in a national park. “The operation to rescue the tourist is still ongoing,” …
Read More »American tourist kidnapped at Queen Elizabeth, Police in hot pursuit
Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Police and UPDF have dispatched teams to Queen Elizabeth National Park where a search in on for an American tourist and Ugandan guide are reported kidnapped. The kidnappers are demanding a $500,000 ransom, Police has confirmed. The two were grabbed, after armed men put …
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