Colonel Charles Tom, the British defense adviser and the dean of the defense attaches, has commended Uganda for its efforts to protect foreign tourists at the height of insecurity that plagued many tourist centres in western Uganda last year.

The officers visited Mweya Safari Lodge, Capt. Allain Caplain of France, have been touring western Uganda to update themselves on the regard to the safety of their nationals.
The officers visited Mweya Safari Lodge and Queen Elizabeth in Kasese, Semiliki Safari lodge and Semiliki forest in Bundibugyo district.

They also held discussions with the UPDF Second Division commander, Col. Fred Tolit.

A source at Mweya quoted the two attaches as saying that they were happy with the way Uganda had protected foreign nationals at the height of armed bandits who had invaded the area.
Interahamwe militia raided Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Rukungiri district on March 1, last year, killing eight foreign tourists and abducting others.

Tolit said, “The two defense attaches said they were satisfied wit the improvement of security in the region and promised to carry the message home.”

The tourist centres had registered a low turn-up of tourists in 1998 and 1999 due to insecurity. But with improved security around the centres, more visitors have been registered.