Hon. Minister Phionah Nyamutoro has narrowly escaped shooting by private guards in Kisoro District.

Police officers in Kabale District have arrested private security guards at National Cement Company, a subsidiary of the Devki Group, for attempting to shoot at State Minister for Energy and Mineral Development Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro.

Accordingly to the police officers who were with the minister at the crime scene, the security personnel, who was guarding the National Cement Company, already had a bullet in the chamber.

The unfortunate incident occurred while she was conducting a routine check on the allegedly illegal mining activities in Kisoro District.

Authorities stated that illegal mining activities were being conducted on the land, and the minister had gone there for an inspection.

In a video shared on Thursday, June 20, Phiona Nyamutoro is heard questioning why the guards wanted to shoot them. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Fu324btXXf1Hrqg8/?mibextid=oFDknk

The guards allegedly received orders to fend off anyone approaching the premises. Nyamutoro has further requested the police to arrest the directors of the company. The guards were disarmed and detained. She has also requested a heavy deployment of security in the area.

Minister Phiona Nyamutoro has been travelling across the country conducting consultative meetings with local government leaders and stakeholders regarding the regulations on artisanal mining.