Tourist murder: Court confirms terror charges against ADF commander

KAMPALA - The International Crimes Division of the High Court in Kampala has confirmed terrorism charges against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) commander accused of killing tourists inside Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP).

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

Court presided over by Justice Susan Okalany confirmed two counts of terrorism against Rashid Abdul Kyoto alias Njovu Tembo, saying his acts of violence aimed at causing the death of a civilian not engaged in armed conflict, influencing the Government or intimidating the public or a section of the public.

The judge noted that the acts were committed for a political, religious, social or economic aim without due regard to the safety of others.

“I find that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to establish that there are substantial grounds to believe that the accused committed the offence of terrorism,” she ruled.

It is alleged that the accused and others still at large, between October 12 and 17, 2023, at various locations including Kathoho village, Nyakiyumbu sub-county, along Kikorongo-Bwera Road and at Nyamunuka, along Katunguru-Katwe-Kabatoro Road within QENP in Kasese district, performed acts intended to influence the government or intimidate the public or part of it.

These acts, according to prosecution, were conducted for political, religious, social, or economic reasons, and carried out without regard for the safety of others or property, involved serious violence aimed at causing the death of civilians: Joseph Matovu, Nzowera Biira Paralesi, Barlow, Geyer, Alyai, Arisen Magezi Munezero and Edreda Biira, who were not engaged in armed conflict.

In a ruling dated June 30, 2025, the Judge also found the evidence presented by the prosecution sufficient to establish substantial grounds to believe that the accused committed the offences of aggravated robbery.

However, the judge said the prosecution did not produce enough evidence indicating that the accused and others still at large with malice aforethought unlawfully caused the death of Matovu and Paralesi.

“I have found no evidence placing him at the crime scene in this incident,” she ruled.
Thomas Jatiko, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, represented the State, while Sylvia Namawejje Ebitu represented the accused on state brief.

Kyoto will be presented before a three-member panel for the full trial.

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 DR 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 in order to avoid detection.

He said one group led by 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

In regard to 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 Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Kasese district, burnt two motor vehicles: A Mercedes Benz Cargo Truck and a Toyota Land Cruiser tourist vehicle.

They also allegedly robbed Barlow of 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.