Police in Kisoro District have arrested 28 suspects in connection with illegal mining activities at the Kirwa Wolfram mining site.
According to the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation targeting individuals involved in unauthorized mining at the government-owned site.
Of the 28 suspects, 25 are believed to be Rwandan nationals who allegedly entered Uganda through unregulated border points.
The Kirwa mining site, located in Kabaya Village, Busengo Parish, Nyarubuye Sub-county, is a government-owned wolfram and tin deposit managed under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and guarded by the Mineral Police Protection Unit.
Police noted that since the beginning of 2026, there has been a rise in cases involving suspected foreign nationals engaging in illegal mining activities at the site, prompting increased surveillance and enforcement.
On May 2, 2026, security agencies conducted the operation, which led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of approximately 30 kilograms of suspected wolfram.
Maate says that the suspects have since been charged with illegal mining and unlawful entry and stay in Uganda.
“Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of inquiries”. He said.
