Kisoro, Uganda — Police in Kisoro District have arrested five members of the same family in connection with a series of armed robberies that have shaken the district in recent weeks.
The suspects, all residents of Bupfupfu Village, Muramba Parish in Muramba Sub-county, are identified as Twizerimana Lawrence, 57 (the father), Mujawimana Njerica, 47 (the mother), and their sons Manirakiza Anthony, 30, Kwiringira Junior, 29, and Ndakundimana Brian, 23.
Police accuse the family members of direct involvement in the armed robberies, with the father, Twizerimana, allegedly commanding the criminal gang and harboring both stolen goods and weapons.
Their arrest follows the earlier apprehension of two other suspects: Irankunda Gerald alias Ndereya, 24, of Kamonyi Ward, and Habyarimana Valence, 40, of Kisoro Hill, both from Kisoro Municipality.
According to police reports, the late Irankunda Desire, a Congolese national and known repeat offender, was killed by a mob on June 4, 2025, in Muramba Sub-county, following suspicions of his increased criminal activities in the area. Irankunda Desire had reportedly been adopted by Twizerimana and, along with his friend Irankunda Gerald, was instrumental in recruiting and training Manirakiza, Twizerimana’s son, to carry out criminal operations in the district.
Manirakiza was subsequently arrested after CCTV footage linked him to one of the most significant incidents: a robbery on April 29, 2025, at Mugomberero Trading Centre in Muramba Sub-county, where over Shillings 23 million was stolen.
Following the arrest of Manirakiza and the death of his associate, Irankunda Desire, Irankunda Gerald is believed to have recruited Habyarimana Valence to aid in further criminal activities, including a recent robbery in Mutorere.
Kisoro District Police Commander, Ben Kashumbusha, confirmed the family’s arrest, stating it followed confessions from earlier suspects. A firearm and a live bullet were recovered from Shaaza Ground, where they had been hidden.
The Kisoro District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Robert Tukamuhabwa, revealed that intelligence reports indicate the same firearm recovered during recent operations has been linked to criminal activities in Kisoro dating back to 2019.
Tukamuhabwa commended the efforts of the district’s security teams and assured the public that security in the area has significantly improved.
However, some family members have denied direct involvement in the criminal activities, instead pointing to Manirakiza Anthony as the primary perpetrator.
