Police have confirmed the arrest of five private security guards who allegedly attempted to shoot at Phiona Nyamutoro, the State Minister for Mineral Development.
The incident occurred yesterday in Kisoro District while Minister Nyamutoro was inspecting an illegal mining site. Reports indicate that she narrowly escaped being shot by the private security guards from the National Cement Company, a subsidiary of the Devki Group.
Minister Nyamutoro and her team had spent Wednesday in a consultative meeting with miners from the Kigezi region at White Horse Inn in Kabale District, discussing the ongoing biometric registration of artisanal miners across the country.
However, when they arrived at the mining fields on Thursday, they were met with hostility from four private security guards who were guarding the site. The guards blocked the officials from accessing the fields and even cocked their guns, ready to shoot.
Nyamutoro’s bodyguards and police quickly intervened to disarm and arrest the guards before any harm could occur. Alaba, a spokesperson, confirmed the incident, assuring that all officials were safe but declined to provide further details, directing inquiries to the ministry’s communication officer.
Minister Nyamutoro expressed shock that the security guards attempted to shoot at them despite guarding an illegal mining operation. She immediately ordered the closure of the mining fields until further notice.
“We’re going to ensure the equipment is removed and that mining is halted in all areas where National Cement is illegally operating. We’re not passive; we will move around, arrest those responsible, and stop unauthorized mining activities, especially those infringing on licensed operations,” said Nyamutoro.
Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, disclosed that the security guards are currently detained at Rubanda police station as investigations continue. He also noted that the guards were armed with three submachine guns (SMGs).
The arrested guards are identified as Kiiza Deus, Okurboth Robert, Niwagaba Anthony, Kajugo Mathias, and Mucunguzi Robert.
