Kanungu Chief Magistrate’s Court has charged two people over the kidnap of American tourist, Ms Kimbley Sue Endecoff and her drive, a senior game guide Jean Paul Milenge Romezo at Katoke gate in Queen Elizabeth national park.
Mr. Byaruhanga Onesmus, 43 year old former convict, resident of Kisamba Cell, Southern Ward, Kanungu Town Council and Nyanga Cell of Kihiihi Town Council, have been leveled with three counts of Aggravated Robbery and Kidnap, abduction with intent to procure a ransom.
They are alleged to have played a supportive role, of surveying the movement of the American Tourist, from Bwindi National Park to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, and furnished the kidnapping team to their local criminal gang, with information that facilitated the kidnapping of the two.
Prosecution avers that the two and other at large, used the victim’s cellphone to demand a ransom of US $500,000, equivalent to Shs1.85 billion.
The former convict is also accused of planning and carrying out typical kidnappings, aggravated robberies and the murder of a resident in Kanungu Town Council.
Kim Endicott of Costa Mesa, California and Jean Paul Milenge were later released by their abductors after an intensified search by security agencies and negotiating with the kidnappers.
The charging of suspects follows USA President Donald Trump’s advises to Uganda to capture culprits implicated in the kidnap. “Uganda must find the kidnappers of the American Tourist and guide before people will feel safe in going there. Bring them to justice openly and quickly,”
