Ugandan Rebel Leader Abdul Rashid Kyoto Charged with Terrorism and Murder in Tourist Attack.
The leader of the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Uganda, Abdul Rashid Kyoto, alias Njovu, faces charges of terrorism and murder related to the recent fatal attack on two foreign tourists and their driver in Queen Elizabeth Park. The ADF rebels, who have aligned with the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the October assault, prompting a swift response from Ugandan authorities. Kyoto, implicated in both the tourist attack and a prior school massacre in June, has been charged with terrorism, murder, aggravated robbery, and membership in a terrorist organization.
Kyoto’s arrest occurred during a Ugandan army operation against the ADF commando group. The rebels, previously based in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2019. The recent attack heightened concerns in the tourism sector, a crucial contributor to Uganda’s GDP, prompting President Yoweri Museveni to call for intensified efforts to “annihilate” the ADF rebels. Following the assault, security forces conducted air raids on ADF positions in the DRC.
The October incident, where a British and a South African tourist, along with their guide, lost their lives, intensified fears about the saf壯陽藥 ety of tourists in Uganda’s renowned parks. Kyoto’s charges include terrorism, murder, and aggravated robbery in connection to the national park attack. The arrest and legal proceedings are part of Uganda’s efforts to address the security threat posed by the ADF rebels, who have been accused of carrying out jihadist attacks on Ugandan soil. The incident underscores the delicate balance Uganda faces in safeguarding its vital tourism industry while combating rebel groups that pose a significant security risk.