Newlyweds have been killed in a “cowardly terrorist attack” by a group with alleged ISIS links.
The British man was on honeymoon with his South African wife when they were killed along with their guide after their attackers ambushed their vehicle.
The bodies of the couple were found near their burnt-out Jeep in Queen Elizabeth National Park, south west Uganda, on Tuesday evening.
Now the couple have been named as David and Celia Barlow, from Hampstead Norreys, a village near Newbury, Berkshire, reports The Times.
Richard Davies, a church warden at St Mary’s Church, wrote on its Facebook page: “We wake today with a heavy heart and the deepest sorrow to hear the devastating news of the death of Dave and Celia Barlow.”
He added: “This is for so many of us, incomprehensible.
“Our thoughts are with their families, their much loved friends and all who knew them in Hampstead Norreys and our wider community.
“We also remember the family of their Ugandan guide, who was also killed. Words cannot express how to react to this dreadful news.”
Their guide, Eric Alyai, who worked for Gorillas and Wildlife Safaris, was also killed in the attack which Ugandan authorities say was Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group linked to ISIS.
President Museveni of Uganda said on X: “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.”
Uganda Police Force said on X: “We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
“The three were killed, and their safari vehicle burnt.
“Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”
The ADF opposes the rule of Museveni who has held power since 1986.
Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State (Development & Africa), said on X, formerly Twitter: “I am shocked and saddened by the horrific attack in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British national following an incident at Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. We are in close contact with the local authorities.
“British nationals in the area should follow our travel advice and contact us if they require assistance.”
The Foreign Office also gave the following advice:
• The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
• If you are currently in the Park, you should follow the advice of local security authorities. If you are able to do so safely, you should consider leaving the area.
• If you’re in Uganda and you need urgent help you can call us 24/7 on 0312 312000 or +44 1908 51 6666.
• If you’re in the UK and worried about a British person in Uganda, you can call us 24/7 on 020 7008 5000.
• Uganda travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
