Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Hon Phiona Nyamutoro has survived being shot at by Private Security Guards of National Cement Company, a subsidiary of Devki group.
It is alleged that the company is carrying out illegal mining in Kisoro District.
According to the minister, while at the scene flanked by police officers, looking visibly shaken,wonders why private security guards have the courage to shoot at her.
“I think they called their boss who said that they should shoot whoever has come there. Private security to shoot at us? We need to see who their boss is to give such orders”, says Nyamutooro.
The Ministers’ guards say that the suspects were in position to fire at them with bullets already in the chamber.
The events following have led to the disarming of the guards by Police and will be charged accordingly.
The incident occurred while she was conducting a routine check on allegedly illegal mining activities in Kisoro District.
Yesterday, while in Kabale district she held consultative meetings with the district local governments, miners and stakeholders of Kigezi sub- region on the Regulations on Artisanal Mining in a bid to form an effective framework to boost the sector.