Kiwanda Admits That Ransom Was Paid

Following the rescue of American tourist Kimberly Sue and her guide Jean Paul, the details of the operation were kept mum with most asking if the ransom was paid. The police initially denied the ransom being paid with Police Sokesperson Fred Enanga coming out in a press conference stating that Uganda Police does not pay ransoms and further stating that the allied forces had the situation under control.

Later on though, the State Minister of Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda came out to the public and admitted that a ransom of $30,000 was paid to the kidnappers. He stated that the safety of the kidnapped was their first priority and that the government found itself in a situation that required swift action and so had to. He further went on to say that payment of the ransom should not be a big issue as long as the victims were rescued unharmed and safe.

Kiwanda was tight-lipped about the details of the exchange but sources close to the operation shared some details to NBS. The allied forces initially had planned to place a tracking device into medical supplies for the kidnapped but was derailed at the last minute when the kidnappers were tipped on the plan. The exchange was on the kidnappers’ plans from then on and demanded the money to be given to a woman on a bike who then rode towards D.R.C but was met by another rider on the way and after thorough search took the money to the kidnappers and came back with the abductees.

The abductees are in safe custody and Uganda wildlife Authority maintains that this is an isolated incident and shouldn’t discourage people from visiting the country.