Six private security guards accused of attempting to shoot at State Minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, and other officials from her department have been charged with seven counts of threatening violence and subsequently remanded.
The accused are Nobert Okurboth, the manager of Wolves Security Company in charge of Rubanda and Kisoro districts, and security guards Robert Mucunguzi, Anthony Niwagaba, Hassan Oman, Deus Kiiza, and Mathias Kajugo.
The incident occurred on June 20, 2024, at around 10:00 AM, when Minister Nyamutoro, along with other ministry officials and police, arrived at an iron ore mine in Butare, Katojo Town Council, Rubanda District. This mine belongs to the National Cement Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Devki Group of Companies.
The visit followed a complaint from STEAM Investments, alleging that individuals led by John Muluri Muyambi from National Cement Company had trespassed into their iron ore site in Butare and started mining, guarded by armed security personnel.
When Minister Nyamutoro and her team attempted to access the site, they were blocked by the security guards, who allegedly cocked their guns, ready to shoot. The situation was defused when the Minister’s police bodyguards intervened, disarming and arresting the security guards.
On Monday afternoon, the six suspects were brought before Kabale Magistrates Court, where they were charged with seven counts of threatening violence. Kabale Grade One Magistrate Julius Mutabazi, presiding on behalf of Chief Magistrate Derrick Byamugisha, ordered the remand of the security guards to Ndorwa Government Prison until July 18, 2024.
