An American tourist has been kidnapped and is being held ransom in Uganda by men demanding $500,000, reports claim.
The tourist was in Queen Elizabeth National Park when he was abducted along with a local tour guide by an armed group, said to be from Congo.
The group are asking for a ransom of $500,000 equivalent to 1.85billion shillings, UBCTV claim.
The American embassy and Ugandan government are working to ensure they are rescued.
A statement released by Uganda tourism board said that between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday, four armed men ambushed a tourist van that was on a Game Drive in the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The statement added: “The outlaws put the occupants under gun point and abducted two of them; a Ugandan driver and an American Citizen.
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“The kidnapping happened near Katoke Gate in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The other occupants of the van who were left behind managed to contact a few people: who came to their rescue.
“All security agencies such as the Uganda Police and the Uganda People’s Défense Forces including wardens from the Uganda Wildlife Authority have joined in the hunt for these outlaws with the main aim of safely securing the hostages.
“The lives of the kidnapped are a key priority during this process. We appeal for calm as we find a lasting solution to this issue.
“Further information will be shared with the public as it comes in.”
It comes almost a year after two Brits were held hostage in neighbouring Congo.
Bethan Davies and Robert Jesty were held by armed bandits after an ambush, during which a ranger was killed.
They were kidnapped in the Virunga National Park, which borders Rwanda, in an attack which claimed the life of Rachel Makissa Baraka.
The abductors had reportedly demanded £150,000 in ransom for the pair's release.
A statement released on behalf of the pair after they were freed said: “We are very relieved that there has been a positive outcome to the kidnapping and are very grateful for the excellent support we have received.
"We do not plan to comment further.”
