US tourist freed in Uganda; conflicting reports over ransom

Ugandan police say an American tourist from Costa Mesa who was freed after being kidnapped in a national park will be turned over to the U.S. ambassador today in the midst of conflicting reports over whether a ransom was paid for her release.

Ugandan authorities say Kim Endicott and her Ugandan driver were both safe, after the five-day ordeal during which they were taken from Queen Elizabeth National Park across the border to Congo.

Ugandan police spokesman Fred Enanga told a news conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, that he didn’t believe a ransom had been paid.

A Uganda-based tour official said, however, that a ransom was paid to secure Endicott's freedom. The official with Wild Frontiers Uganda Safaris, which organized the kidnapping victims' safari itinerary, said Endicott was released, "not rescued," after money was paid.

He said on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the press, "Otherwise she wouldn't be back." He said many officials, including from the U.S. Embassy, were involved in efforts to secure the release of the kidnapping victims. He couldn't say how much was paid or who paid.

Ugandan officials have said the kidnapping victims were "rescued" from armed kidnappers who are still at large.