ADF commander to appear in court over tourists murder

KAMPALA - The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander accused of killing tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is expected to appear at the International Crimes Division of the High Court for a pre-trial session today, June 30, 2025.

Rashid Abdul Kyoto alias Njovu Tembo is facing 12 counts of murder, terrorism, aggravated robbery and belonging to a terrorist organisation. The offences elicit a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

Briton David James Barlow, his South African wife, Celia Emmarentia Geyer and a tour guide, Eric Alyai, were murdered in an attack on October 17, 2023, while on safari in QENP in southwestern Uganda.

It is also alleged that Kyoto murdered Joseph Matovu and Paralesi Biira Nzowera and burnt their truck loaded with sacks of onions along Kikorongo-Bwera road, in Kasese district. 

Confession

In his charge and caution statement, Kyoto confessed that he commanded a group that attacked and murdered the tourists, who had travelled to Uganda on a honeymoon for 10 days.

He also confessed to being a member of the ADF organisation. Kyoto told detectives that he travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2018 for terrorist training and participated in several ADF combat attacks against civilians in the DRC and Uganda.

Kyoto further disclosed that their group had planned to burn a fuel station in Bwera, Kasese district, to cause a big impact, but they entered into a Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) ambush forcing the group to split into two to avoid detection.

He said one group led by a one Kamusi later attacked Lhubiriha Secondary School and the lorry which was transporting onions. A total of 37 students (17 boys and 20 girls) and five other people, including a school gateman, were killed by ADF rebels during the attack.

Recovery

Prosecution says when the accused was arrested, he was found in possession of several items, including an explosive, solar panel, three army uniforms, one magazine with 18 live ammunitions and gun oil in a plastic container.

Allegations

Regarding terrorism, prosecution alleges that Kyoto and others still at large, on October 17, 2023, at Nyamunuka, along Katunguru-Katwe-Kabatoro road, within QENP in Kasese district, for purposes of influencing the Government or intimidating the public and for a political, religious, social or economic aim, indiscriminately without due regard to the safety of others or property carried out serious acts of violence aimed at causing the death of the tourists, all civilians who were not engaged in armed conflict.

In the second count of terrorism, the prosecution purports that Kyoto and others still at large, between October 13, 2023, and October 17, 2023, at various locations within QENP, burnt two motor vehicles: A Mercedes Benz Cargo Truck and a Toyota Land Cruiser tourist vehicle.

They also allegedly robbed Barlow of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland passports at gunpoint.

They also allegedly robbed Geyer of an unspecified amount of money, Barclays Premier Banking Card No.00041793, British Airways American Express card and the Republic of South Africa passport.

Prosecution further alleges that Kyoto, between 2018 and November 1, 2023, at various places in Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese district, Kampala and in the DRC, was a commander and belonged or professed to belong to the ADF, a terrorist organisation.