Kampala, (UG):- The Territorial Police in southwestern Uganda’s Rubanda District have arrested and detained five security guards attached to a private security firm after they allegedly threatened to shoot at Hon Phiona Nyamutoro, the State Minister for Minerals when she arrived to inspect activities at an illegal mining site at Butare Katoojo in Muko Sub-county on Thursday morning.
The development was confirmed by Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson, Mr Elly Maate, the shocking incident happened at a mining site belonging to STEAM Investments in Muko, Rubanda District and not Kisoro District, as media outlets had earlier reported.
“The Minister together with the technical team from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines accompanied by Police Minerals Protection Unit (PMPU) went to inspect iron ore exploration license No.EL00340 belonging to STEAM Investments in Muko, Rubanda District,” Mr Maate said, adding that the minister and her team are on a country-wide tour and consultative engagement on draft Regulations for gazetting areas for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners.
Preliminary investigations revealed by Mr Maate indicate that the minister who doubles as National Youth Representative of the 11th Parliament received a complaint from directors of STEAM that their exploration site had been trespassed on by unknown people who were mining illegally without a license allegedly working for John Muluri Muyambi & National Cement Company.
“When the minister and her team arrived at the site at around 10 am on Thursday, the armed guards attached to Wolves Security Company reportedly refused to open the gate until the police team intervened,” he said.
“After inspection, the same security guard blocked the convoy and cocked their guns threatening to shoot. There were five private security guards armed with three SMG riffles,” ASP Maate added.
Police said the minister’s security team managed to disarm the guards and subjected them to further interrogation over the alleged shooting at the minister.
Mr Maate identified the officers involved in the scuffle as Deus Kiiza, Robert Okurboth, Anthony Niwagaba, Mathias Kajugo, and Robert Mucunguzi, adding that they have now been handed over to the territorial police where they will be charged.
“They were handed over to the territorial police and are currently detained at Rubanda CPS. They will be charged accordingly. The minister and her team are safe and have continued with their scheduled duties. No cause for alarm!”
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