Nearly a decade has passed since Sophia Koetsier’s disappearance in Uganda. Her mother, Marije Slijkerman, stood in a Kampala courtroom, clutching a folder of photographs and fighting to keep her daughter’s story alive.
On October 28, 2015, tragedy struck when Sophia Koetsier disappeared at Murchison Falls National Park. The 21-year-old Dutch medical student had arrived in Uganda through AIESEC for a two-month internship at Lubaga Hospital. After completing her assignment, she joined a 17-day safari with two Dutch companions and Ugandan tour operator Michael Kijjambu, who represented Remikable Adventures.
In Buganda Road Court, Slijkerman described Sophia as a compassionate, brilliant young woman with a deep passion for global health. She held up several photos—some from their home in the Netherlands and others from Sophia’s stay in Uganda. “These are all I have left,” she said, her voice trembling.
Although the safari began with excitement, it soon spiraled into chaos. Sophia, who had lived with bipolar disorder since age 16, began showing signs of a manic episode during the group’s time in Kidepo Valley National Park. According to Slijkerman, Sophia became overly energetic, stopped sleeping, and started interacting with strangers—clear symptoms of mental distress.
An English family camping nearby told Slijkerman that Sophia had approached their tent at 3 a.m., appearing confused and vulnerable. Despite the family’s warnings and park rangers’ advice to seek help, Kijjambu kept the group on schedule and moved them to Murchison Falls. “He ignored the warnings and acted recklessly,” Slijkerman stated firmly. “He should have taken her to a hospital.”
On the evening of October 28, one of Sophia’s companions called Slijkerman at 6:30 p.m. to express concern. Later that night, a second call confirmed her worst fears—Sophia Koetsier had vanished near a student centre in Paraa. “I rushed there immediately,” Slijkerman said. “Her things were still there—torn fabric, shoes we picked out together. But she was gone.”
Kijjambu and the other two travelers left the park on November 2. Slijkerman confronted him before his departure and demanded answers. She also received an invoice for the €4,800 safari, with Sophia contributing €1,600. The court accepted both the invoice and Sophia’s emailed itinerary as evidence, though the defense argued otherwise.
Sophia had disclosed her mental health history to her companions five days into the trip. Nevertheless, Kijjambu reportedly called her “crazy” and refused to adjust the tour. “He knew she was struggling,” said Slijkerman. “Instead of helping her, he chose to ignore it.”
This courtroom battle isn’t just about negligence—it’s about accountability. The prosecution, led by Joan Keko, charged Kijjambu with operating an unlicensed tour business. They argued that the documents came directly from Slijkerman’s laptop and emails. Defense attorney Ponny Mugwanya disputed their validity, calling the process improper.
Beyond legal matters, the disappearance shattered Slijkerman’s family. “We stopped celebrating birthdays,” she told the court. “None of us sleep properly anymore. Life hasn’t been the same.”
Despite the passage of time, Sophia Koetsier’s disappearance remains unresolved. The case continues to draw attention to serious gaps in tourism safety and mental health preparedness. Travel professionals emphasize the need for tour operators to receive training on handling medical disclosures and mental health emergencies responsibly.
This tragic story has left a void that no courtroom can fill. Still, Slijkerman refuses to let her daughter’s memory fade. Her testimony does more than recount the events of 2015—it shines a light on a system that failed and urges reform to ensure it never happens again.
The next court session is scheduled for August 5.
Read: Sophia Koetsier’s Disappearance in Uganda: A Mother’s Fight