Six remanded over attempting to shoot at minister Nyamutoro

Six private security guards accused of attempting to shoot at the state minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, have been charged with seven counts of threatening violence.  

They include Nobert Okurboth, manager of Wolves Security company in charge of Rubanda and Kisoro districts, Robert Mucunguzi, Anthony Niwagaba, Hassan Oman, Deus Kiiza, and Mathias Kajugo. Nyamutoro and other mineral officials on Thursday last week went to inspect iron ore mines in Butare belonging to National Cement Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Devki Group of companies.  

The officials first met with miners from Kigezi region to brief them about the ongoing biometric registration of artisanal miners across the country. However, when they arrived at the mines, four security guards blocked Nyamutoro and the officials from accessing the mines to the extent of cocking their guns ready to shoot.  

The minister and the team were saved by her police bodyguards who quickly moved in to disarm and arrest the guards. Today Monday, the six suspects appeared before Kabale grade one magistrate Julius Mutabazi.

In statements of offences, the accused intimidated, and threatened to shoot Nyamutoro and other officials including; Allen Ndyanabo, the head of the geological department in the ministry of Energy, Bernard Katwaro, a commander attached to the minerals department in the ministry of Energy and Anesterio Kiiza, the police minerals protection unit commander for Kigezi region. 

Others were Solomon Okello, police constables Cassim Asiimwe, and Joseph Odeke all attached to the minerals protection unit. The suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded to Ndorwa Government Prison until July 18. Kabale district state attorney, Rachael Nkwanzi told the court that investigations into the case are complete.