The 1999 bwindi impenetrable forest masacre
Iterahamwe Insugency
In march 1999, a force of 100-150 former Rwandan Interahamwe guerrillas penetrated Uganda via the Democratic Republic of Congo border and kidnapped 14 foreign tourists and their Ugandan guide from the park headquarters, but six of them were released and murdering the remaining eight with machetes and cudgels.
Some victims were reportedly tortured, and at least one of the female victims was raped. The Ugandan guide was doused with gasoline and lit on him. The Interahamwe attack was reportedly intended to subvert Uganda and scare away tourist traffic from the park, divesting the Ugandan government of foreign income.
The park was forced to close several months and the popularity of the gorilla tours suffered badly for several years, though attendance has since recovered due to greater stability in the area by the Uganda people’s Defence Forces and the sister force the Uganda Wildlife Authority operatives. An armed guard also now accompanies every tour group to and from any tour.
