Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro
Police in Rubanda District, western Uganda, have detained five guards from a private security firm for allegedly threatening to shoot Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, at an illegal mining site.
The incident occurred on Thursday at around 10 am when the minister, accompanied by a technical team from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines and the Police Minerals Protection Unit (PMPU), visited the site to inspect iron ore exploration license EL00340 belonging to STEAM Investments in Muko Sub-county.
According to Kigezi Region Police spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, the minister’s team was blocked by armed guards from Wolves Security Company, who refused to open the gate until police intervened. The guards then cocked their guns, threatening to shoot, but were disarmed by the minister’s security team.
The detained guards are Deus Kiiza, Robert Okurboth, Anthony Niwagaba, Mathias Kajugo, and Robert Mucunguzi. They are currently held at Rubanda CPS and will face charges accordingly.
Minister Nyamutoro and her team are safe and have continued with their scheduled duties. The incident has raised concerns about the use of private security firms in the mining industry.
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