Friends and the local community have paid tribute to a couple and their guide who lost their lives during a trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The victims, identified as David and Celia Barlow, were from Hampstead Norreys in Berkshire, United Kingdom. The tragic incident involved their vehicle being set on fire after they were killed.
David Barlow was described as a respected figure in the community, having served on the Hampstead Norreys Parish Council for over a decade. He was fondly remembered as an “exceptional chairman” who prioritized the community’s needs. The Hampstead Norreys Cricket Club affectionately referred to him as “Lord Barlow,” while Mrs. Barlow was remembered as “an amazing human” who will be greatly missed.
The local church warden, Richard Davies, expressed his shock and sorrow at the news, describing it as “incomprehensible.” He emphasized the difficulty of finding words to express the emotions following this dreadful news.
The UK Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, conveyed his shock and sadness over the attack, urging British nationals in Uganda to follow travel advice.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni pledged support for the families of the victims through the Ugandan High Commission in the UK. The Ugandan police reported that they were pursuing suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, an Islamist group linked to IS.
The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Uganda, cautioning against “all but essential travel” to Queen Elizabeth National Park and advising visitors to follow local security authorities’ guidance.
The tragic incident occurred near the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the days leading up to the attack, there were reports of ADF militants planning to bomb churches in Uganda’s Butambala district. On Wednesday, IS claimed responsibility for the attack, although no evidence was provided. Ugandan authorities expressed their condolences to the victims’ families and stated that they were actively pursuing the suspected rebels responsible for the attack.
In response to the incident, the Ugandan police force released a photograph of the burnt safari vehicle and emphasized their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.