Nearly a decade after the Sophia Koetsier case began, a Ugandan tourism official has provided testimony that sheds light on the events leading to her disappearance in Murchison Falls National Park.
Tourism Officer Recalls the Days Before Disappearance
Stephen Nyadru, a staff member at Queen Elizabeth National Park, testified on June 13. In 2015, he served as the Assistant Warden for Tourism at Kidepo Valley National Park, where he met Sophia Koetsier and her group.
According to Nyadru, Michael Kijjambu arrived at Apoka Safari Camp with three foreign women in late October 2015. They checked in and paid for two cottages. A receipt dated October 26 was issued in the name of “Michael,” whom Nyadru identified in court as the accused.
Erratic Behavior Raises Concerns
That evening, the group played loud music at the reception area. Sophia operated a small radio, prompting Nyadru to ask them to turn it off. After that, he returned to his nearby residence.
Around 4 a.m., Nyadru woke up to loud banging noises. He immediately alerted Corporal Zackari Logwe, the staff member on duty. Logwe discovered Sophia on an elevated platform near the interpretive center. She was hitting panels and had pulled grass from near the kitchen in an attempt to start a fire.
Ignored Advice and Risky Decisions
Worried about her behavior, Nyadru called Kijjambu and advised him to cancel their plans and take Sophia for medical help. Despite the warning, the group went on a short drive inside the park with a guide named Ochieng Naboth.
The drive didn’t last long. Ochieng returned quickly and reported that Sophia had tried to jump out of the moving van, a Toyota Super Custom. Nyadru confronted Kijjambu again and strongly advised taking her to Lacor Hospital in Gulu instead of continuing to Murchison Falls.
Nyadru also warned that wild animals like lions and buffalo made the park especially dangerous for someone in Sophia’s condition. Kijjambu claimed they would rest in Gulu and then travel back to Kampala.
Disappearance Confirmed the Following Day
The next day, troubling news reached Kidepo. Sophia had vanished inside Murchison Falls National Park. Nyadru called Kijjambu, who insisted they had not entered the park. However, later reports from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) confirmed her disappearance in that exact location.
Legal Questions Surround Kijjambu’s Status
Nyadru testified that licensed tour guides must follow park rules, maintain visitor logs, and obtain official authorization. He revealed that the receipt for the group, totaling Shs144,000, was issued by park clerk Augustine Oryeme. However, Kijjambu held no legal license to act as a guide or operator.
The prosecution alleges that Kijjambu’s negligence and lack of credentials played a critical role in the intern’s disappearance. They argue that proper oversight and adherence to safety measures might have prevented the tragedy. The Sophia Koetsier case is central to exposing these gaps in tourism enforcement.
Sophia’s Background and the Ongoing Mystery
Sophia, 21, had just completed her Bachelor of Medicine and was on a medical placement at Lubaga Hospital. Her dream was to specialize in Tropical Medicine and later become a surgeon. She arrived in Kampala on August 31 and vanished on October 28, 2015.
Search teams launched one of the most extensive efforts in park history. Yet, her body was never found. A photo taken on October 14 shows her with her mother, Marije Slijkerman, during what would be their last meeting in Kampala.
Court Proceedings and What’s Next
Presiding magistrate Ronald Kayiizi at Buganda Road Court adjourned the hearing to June 30. More witnesses from the prosecution are expected to provide additional details.
As the Sophia Koetsier case unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight of Uganda’s tourism sector. It also underscores the tragedy that can result from ignoring mental health crises in high-risk environments.
To explore more about the economic impact of Ugandan tourism and investment opportunities, see Ugandan diaspora investment, Uganda’s tourism sector bounces back with Shs4.8 trillion in 2024, or visit Uganda Wildlife Authority and Interpol Yellow Notices for further updates on missing persons.
