American Woman Who Was Kidnapped on Uganda Safari Is Freed

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KAMPALA, Uganda — An American woman and her Ugandan guide who were kidnapped while on safari this past week have been freed after a ransom was paid, according to officials with the safari company with which they were traveling.

Jane Goldring, a director at Wild Frontiers, said the two kidnapping victims had been freed. Another official with the company, who asked not to be named, said the two were currently “enjoying a square meal and hot shower” at a wilderness camp in Uganda run by Wild Frontiers.

They were dropped off at a point near the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, the official said. He asked not to be named because he was not authorized to provide details about the circumstances of the release.

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Kimberly Sue Endicott, right, moments after she was rescued.CreditMilitary of Uganda

The official said he did not know the identity of the kidnappers and that Wild Frontiers paid the ransom.

The woman, Kimberly Sue Endicott, of California, was kidnapped Tuesday evening while on a game drive in Queen Elizabeth national park in Uganda. Also taken was her Ugandan guide, Jean-Paul Mirenge Remezo.

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Paul Goldring of Wild Frontiers, left, with Jean-Paul Mirenge Remezo, the guide who was kidnapped in Uganda.CreditWild Frontiers

The park, home to more than 600 bird species and some 2,500 elephants, is generally regarded as safe for tourists.

A group of gunmen stopped the tourists’ vehicle and seized the American woman and the guide. The gunmen left behind the two other tourists, who were described by the Ugandan police as an elderly couple.



Source : Nytimes