The state minister for minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, has this morning narrowly escaped being shot by private security guards at National Cement Company in Rubanda district.
The factory is a subsidiary of the Devki Group, which is reportedly conducting illegal mining activities.
Below is the police statement:
STATEMENT ON ATTEMPTED SHOOTING RUBANDA SD 25/20/06/2024.
The territorial police in Rubanda have arrested Five private security guards of Wolves security company who allegedly resisted the Minister of state for mineral development Hon Phiona Nyamutooro and technical team to access an illegal mining site of National cement company at Butare Katoojo in Muko sub county Rubanda district.
The Minister together with the technical team from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines accompanied by PMPU went to inspect Iron ore Exploration License No.EL00340 belonging to STEAM Investments in Muko Rubanda district.
They are on country-wide tour and consultative engagement on draft Regulations for Gazetting areas for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners.
The Minister received a complaint from directors of STEAM that their Exploration License had been trespassed on by unknown People who were mining illegally without a license allegedly working for John Muluri Muyambi, & National Cement Company.
It’s alleged that, on the 20/06/2024 at about 10:00hrs, when the Minister and Team went on ground for fact finding & inspection, the Private security Company on duty refused to open for them, until the Police teams intervened.
After Inspection, the same security guard blocked the convoy and cocked their guns threatening to shoot.
There we’re 05 Private security guards armed with 03 Riffles( SMGs).
That’s when all the 05 Private security guards were arrested & disarmed namely; Kiiza Deus, Okurboth Robert, Niwagaba Anthony, Kajugo Mathias, Mucunguzi Robert.
and handed over to Territorial Police Rubanda CPS and charged accordingly.
The Minister and Team are safe and have continued with their scheduled duties.
No cause for alarm!
BY ASP ELLY MAATE
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