25 Rwandans, 3 Ugandans Arrested for Illegal Wolfram Mining in Kisoro

Twenty-eight people are in police custody for allegedly engaging in illegal wolfram mining in Kisoro District.

Of those arrested, 25 are Rwandan nationals, according to security sources, while three are Ugandans. The suspects were apprehended on Saturday, May 2, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation.

The mining site, which belongs to the government, is located in Kabaya Village, Busengo Parish, Nyarubuye Sub-county, and is overseen by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development under the Mineral Police Protection Unit.

A security official revealed that since January 2026, reports had emerged indicating that individuals, some of them from Rwanda, were illegally accessing the mine and carrying out mining activities. Intelligence operations were subsequently intensified, leading to the arrests.

Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for the Kigezi region, confirms the arrests and says the suspects were found in possession of 30 kilograms of wolfram that had already been mined.

Maate also says that the suspects are currently being held at Kisoro Police Station as investigations continue. According to Maate, the Rwandan nationals are expected to face charges of illegal mining, as well as entering using porous entry points and staying in Uganda without valid permits.