A Belgian tourist died yesterday morning after being shot the previous night by a thug in Mount Elgon National Park where she had gone mountain climbing, according to a statement by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
It is the first time such an incident happened in the park, which lies on the border of Uganda and Kenya.
Annick Van De Venster, 35, was shot in the waist by a thug in a place called Hunters’ Cave, close to the top of the mountain, where she had camped for the night with her guides and porters. The shooting took place at 8:30pm.
“According to the rangers, they had just finished eating dinner and were sitting at the fireplace when they suddenly heard gunshots directed at them,” said UWA public relations manager, Lillian Nsubuga.
“They immediately took cover. Van De Venster, who had retired to her tent immediately after dinner, ran out of the tent wearing a headlight, which made her an easy target. She collapsed outside her tent.” The rangers returned fire, chasing away the attackers.
“Because they were only two, the rangers did not pursue the assailants and instead stayed behind to care for the tourist.”
Due to poor weather conditions and darkness, it was not possible to immediately get the injured woman from the mountain, Nsubuga explained.
The next morning, UWA sought help from the army to airlift her.
“Unfortunately, due to bad weather, the UPDF chopper could not be of help.”
The wildlife authority has informed the Belgian embassy, which will notify the deceased’s family in Deurne, near Antwerp.
“UWA will investigate the cause of the shooting and liaise with the Kenyan police and wildlife services to get to the bottom of the case,” the statement added.
The two countries are currently implementing cross-border tourism initiatives, whereby tourists can cross into either country while on the mountain. “We are sorry for the death of the tourist and express our condolences to her family,” Nsubuga added.
