Friends have expressed their condolences for a couple who tragically lost their lives, along with their guide, while on their honeymoon in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The couple has been identified as David and Celia Barlow, hailing from Hampstead Norreys near Newbury in Berkshire, according to local reports.

Their village's cricket club shared their grief, stating that the couple will be greatly missed, and the parish council lauded Mr. Barlow as an integral part of the community.

Uganda's police reported that their vehicle was set on fire following the tragic incident.

Richard Davies, the churchwarden at St Mary's Church in Hampstead Norreys, struggled to comprehend the news, expressing profound sorrow and a heavy heart.

"We are waking up today with heavy hearts, deeply saddened by the shocking news of the passing of Dave and Celia Barlow," Mr. Davies conveyed. "It is impossible to find words that adequately express our feelings in the face of this devastating news."

Hampstead Norreys Parish Council described Mr. Barlow, a British citizen, as an outstanding chairman who dedicated over a decade to serving the council, emphasizing his role as a vital community figure.

Hampstead Norreys Cricket Club also paid their respects to the couple, affectionately referring to Mr. Barlow as "Lord Barlow" and characterizing Mrs. Barlow, who was born in South Africa, as "an incredible individual who will be deeply missed."

Belmond, the travel company, released a statement in which they referred to Celia as Celia Geyer and hailed her as a true pioneer and a highly respected leader in their industry.


Toby Harris, a member of the village parish council, said Mr. Barlow "was a very genuine person".

"I spent a lot of time bumping into him at the pub for a beer or two. He was approachable and down to earth."

In a post on social media Andrew Mitchell, the UK minister of state for development and Africa, said he was "shocked and saddened by the horrific attack".

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families," he wrote. "British nationals in Uganda should follow travel advice."

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on X, formerly Twitter, that the Ugandan High Commission in the UK would provide support to the families of the murdered couple.

Police said joint forces were pursuing suspected members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, an IS-linked Islamist group that traces its roots to Uganda but operates mainly in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The two countries have intensified operations targeting the group in recent months, and the incident occurred near Uganda's border with DRC.

On Wednesday, IS claimed responsibility for the attack via its Telegram channels, without providing evidence.

Two days earlier, Uganda's president said police had foiled a plot, allegedly planned by ADF militants, to bomb churches in the country's central Butambala district.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said on X: "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."

He added the police were "aggressively pursuing" the suspected rebels, and expressed "our deepest condolences to the families of the victims".

The police force also posted a photograph of a green four-wheel-drive vehicle on fire.

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Uganda, warning the "attackers remain at large".

It is advising against "all but essential travel" to Queen Elizabeth National Park, adding that anyone in the park should "follow the advice of local security authorities".

"If you are able to do so safely, you should consider leaving the area," it said.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "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."

May God have mercy