Kisoro, (UG): Uganda’s State Minister of Energy and Mineral Development for Mineral Development (In charge of Minerals), Hon Phiona Nyamutoro Thursday survived being shot by a private security guard during a scuffle at a mining area in Kisoro District.
The Minister who was in the company of his team including her official security detail had stormed the premises of National Cement Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Devki Group, for an inspection after getting reports of alleged illegal mining activities being conducted on the land.
However, a video shared widely on social media on Thursday, June 20, at 11:39 am had Hon Nyamutoro questioning why the guards wanted to shoot them.
The police and other security agencies in the area quickly responded to the incident and the situation was averted, with no injuries reported.
The Minister was escorted to safety while the private security guards involved in the scuffle were disarmed and arrested for further questioning.
Further reports availed to this website indicated that the guards allegedly received orders to fend off anyone approaching the premises and Nyamutoro almost fell a victim of the unscrupulous orders.
Subsquently, the minister has requested the police to arrest the directors of the company and have a heavy deployment of security in the area.
The incident comes as the minister is currently travelling across the country conducting consultative meetings with local government leaders and stakeholders regarding the regulations on artisanal mining.
On Wednesday, June 19, she was in Kabale District, and today, Thursday, June 20, she had entered Kisoro to sensitize the miners on the importance of adhering to artisanal mining regulations aimed at promoting sustainable and legal mining practices.
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