Grief and shock have engulfed Kisoro District following the resurgence of highway armed robberies, in which more than Uganda Shillings 2.5 million was stolen from businessmen at gunpoint.
The insecurity has re-emerged along the Kisoro–Mucha–Mukozi–Kasharara road in Nyundo Subcounty, a key tourism route that generates billions of shillings for the government through foreign tourism tax collections.
Despite its economic importance, the area remains poorly secured, with criminal gangs allegedly armed with rifles, sticks, pangas, and iron bars attacking road users during late evening hours.
According to reports, two businessmen traveling from Kisoro Municipality to Kasharara were recently robbed early this month and lost all their property.
The first victim, Turyakira Moses, a trader operating in Kisoro’s New Park, was attacked by thugs wielding stones, sticks, pangas, and an axe. He was robbed of Shillings 300,000.
The second victim, Haramurimana Belline, returning from selling potatoes in Kisoro, was allegedly stopped at gunpoint and robbed of over UGX 2.2 million.
Turyakira Moses confirmed that the criminal gangs that attacked him have prompted him to call on the security team to urgently intervene in the situation. He further revealed that the gangs may soon start targeting tourists in the area, a move that could not only harm local tourism but also tarnish Uganda’s international tourism image.
“They came at me with stones and sticks, and I feared for my life,” Turyakira said. “I appeal to security agencies to intervene before tourists become the next victims. This could ruin Kisoro’s tourism image.”
Mutambuzi Fred Kanyaruju, LC3 Chairperson of Nyundo Subcounty and acting head of security, called for collaboration among all district security organs.
“We need all hands on deck to investigate these crimes thoroughly. If action is not taken now, I fear we could see an increase in murders in the district,” he said.
Kisoro District Assistant Resident District Commissioner (ARDC) Nizeyimana John confirmed that the district security team is aware of the situation and investigations are ongoing.
“Our officers are actively following leads, and we are committed to ensuring that these criminals are brought to justice,” he said.
Kisoro District Police Commander Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha condemned the robberies and assured the public that police operations are underway.
Kashumbusha said, “We already have detailed information about the criminal networks operating in Nyundo Subcounty. Our teams are working tirelessly to apprehend the suspects.”
Earlier this year, armed robberies had surged in Kisoro, but the situation temporarily eased after the arrest of five members of a single family implicated in a series of violent robberies.
The suspects, residents of Bupfupfu Village, Muramba Parish, include Twizerimana Lawrence, 57 (father), Mujawimana Njerica, 47 (mother), Manirakiza Anthony, 30 (son), Kwiringira Junior, 29 (son), and Ndakundimana Brian, 23 (son). The family’s arrest followed the earlier apprehension of Irankunda Gerald alias Ndereya, 24, and Habyarimana Valence, 40.
The arrests led to the recovery of a firearm and live ammunition hidden at Shaaza Ground. Although armed robberies had temporarily declined, they have now resurfaced in Kisoro, prompting urgent calls for intervention by security agencies.
