Kanungu Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Dan Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe accused his superior, Ambrose Mwesigye Amanyire, of facilitating illegal gold mining at Kayungwe Gold Mine in Kayungwe Sub-county. Ahimbisibwe made the claims during an extraordinary council session held to address allegations of illegal mining, bribery and torture of residents at the gold-mining site.
The gold mine was closed by the State Minister For Minerals Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, on July 2, 2026, over alleged unlicensed mining operations, environmental concerns and public health risks.Nyamutoro said the land where artisanal miners were operating falls within Exploration Licence EL00135, which was granted to Shiye Miners Company for mineral exploration.
She explained that all mining activities within the licensed exploration area were illegal because the miners did not possess the required licences. However, despite the closure, local leaders say illegal mining resumed, allegedly with the assistance of some security personnel deployed to the area.
It was alleged that some miners bribed security officers to gain access to the closed mining site, but were later turned against and allegedly tortured by the same personnel.
Francis Byamukama, the Kanungu District LC5 Chairman, accused security personnel of facilitating illegal gold mining and called for investigations into the allegations.He also alleged that some residents who paid security officers to access the mine were later arrested and tortured.
RDC Ambrose Amanyire told the council that investigations into the allegations were already underway, but said the names of security officers implicated could not be disclosed publicly before the investigations were completed.
Amanyire also said he had only seen videos circulating on social media showing alleged torture of residents, adding that the victims had not yet formally reported the matter to police.
He said reports of illegal mining had been received by security authorities and were being investigated for possible prosecution.
The session became more dramatic when Minister Nyamutoro addressed the council and said she had received a report from Deputy RDC Rugaaju implicating senior security officials in illegal mining.
Nyamutoro named the District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Police Commander (DPC), Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations, LC5 Chairman, Mineral Police and herself among those allegedly mentioned in the report.
However, when Rugaaju took the microphone, he clarified that his report had only implicated the Mineral Police officer, whom he identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kansiime, and his superior, RDC Amanyire.
Rugaaju said the other officials mentioned by Nyamutoro were not included in his report..
Ivan Owamani, the district councillor representing Kayungwe Sub-county, also accused security personnel of facilitating illegal mining despite the minister’s closure order.
Owamani said he had evidence showing that some residents paid money to security officers to gain access to the mine. He alleged that some of those who paid the officers were later turned against and tortured.
Owamani also demanded an explanation as to why residents were being blocked by security officers from accessing their gardens in the area.
Baptista Tukwasibwe, a district councillor representing Kanungu Town Council, said residents initially viewed the discovery of gold as a blessing but that it was now turning into a curse because of alleged mistreatment by security personnel.
Tukwasibwe said residents were mobilising for demonstrations to demand an explanation over allegations that security officers were facilitating illegal mining instead of enforcing the closure order.
Caesar Julius Tusingwire later intervened and apologised on behalf of the security authorities for any wrongdoing that may have occurred.
He said the allegations were being investigated and urged residents who were allegedly tortured to report the matter to police to enable investigations. Tusingwire, however, said the mining area was too extensive for the available security personnel to effectively monitor. He also warned residents against bribing security officers to gain illegal access to the closed mining site-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
