'Amazing' Brit couple killed by ISIS-linked group on honeymoon safari in Uganda
A British couple who were tragically murdered on their honeymoon in Uganda have been pictured.
David and Celia Barlow had travelled to the East African nation to celebrate getting married. The couple were among three people shot dead by an ISIS-affiliated terror group who then set fire to their jeep, Uganda Police said. Reports have suggested their 40-year-old guide, Eric Alyai, was the third victim.
Police released chilling images of their “burnt” out safari vehicle after the massacre in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Uganda Police named Allied Democratic Forces, a terror group with ties to Islamic State (ISIS), as thought to be behind the attack. Th esuspects are still at large.
David Barlow had been on the honeymoon with his wife (Facebook)Tributes have poured in for the couple from Hampstead Norreys, near Newbury, Berkshire. Their local cricket group paid tribute after the “tragic deaths”. Hampstead Norreys Cricket Club said that Dave had been a “constant” around the club for years, and “among the many of us who had the privilege to share a joke with him, play cricket with him, and watch as he took wicket after wicket with his famously slow action was a treat.”
It continued: “He was at the time this incident occurred with the most important person in his life, a woman who we all knew so well, as Dave was so proud to share all of Celia's achievements. She too was an amazing human being, who will be desperately missed. Lord Barlow as we fondly know him by will be with us forever. The entire club's thoughts and prayers are with Dave and Celia's families right now.” Oliver Laurence, the club secretary, finished off the statement adding: “Right now though, it's about his family, and close friends and all of us.”
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Posting on its Facebook page St Mary’s Church in Hampstead Norreys said: “We wake today with a heavy heart and the deepest sorrow to hear the devastating news of the death of Dave and Celia Barlow. This is for so many of us, incomprehensible. Our thoughts are with their families, their much loved friends and all who knew them in Hampstead Norreys and our wider community. We also remember the family of their Ugandan guide, who was also killed. Words cannot express how to react to this dreadful news.”
Celia, 51, was said to have gotten married just days before the horrific incidentAccording to a post on X (formerly Twitter ), shared by the Ugandan police force, the attack took place on October 17 at around 6pm on the Katwe-Kabatooro Murram road. A Ugandan police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said: “We have registered a cowardly terrorist attack on two foreign tourists and a Ugandan in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The three were killed and their safari vehicle burnt. Our joint forces responded immediately upon receiving the information and are aggressively pursuing the suspected ADF rebels. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims.”
An Foreign Office spokesperson told the Mirror: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of a British national following an incident at Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. We are in close contact with the local authorities. British nationals in the area should follow our travel advice and contact us if they require assistance.”
Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) army patrol the site of the attack (Xinhua/REX/Shutterstock)President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri K Museveni, condemned the attack and sent his condolences on social media today. He said: “It was a cowardly act on the part of the terrorists attacking innocent civilians and tragic for the couple who were newlyweds and visiting Uganda on their honeymoon. Of course, these terrorists will pay with their own wretched lives.
“However, killing these wretched individuals will not bring back the lives of these wonderful friends of Uganda who had chosen our country for their honeymoon. Our High Commission in the UK will reach out to their families and provide whatever support is necessary in this tragic situation. May their souls rest in eternal peace.”
The attack is thought to have taken place on October 17 (Sax Rohmer Ltd)Local MP Laura Farris, said: "This is an appalling and tragic case involving a much-loved couple from Hampstead Norreys. I have written to the Foreign Secretary today asking the Government to give its full support to the Ugandan authorities in bringing the perpetrators to justice."
St Mary’s Church, Hampstead Norreys is open for private thoughts and prayers and invites people to light a candle in their memory.
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