Two Kisoro Businessmen Robbed at Gunpoint as Highway Attacks Resurface

Kisoro: Grief and fear have gripped Kisoro District following renewed highway armed robberies in which over 2.5 million shillings was stolen from two businessmen at gunpoint.

The insecurity has resurfaced along the Kisoro–Mucha–Mukozi–Kasharara road in Nyundo Sub-County, a key tourism route that generates significant revenue for the government through foreign tourism. Despite its importance, the area remains poorly secured, with criminal gangs reportedly armed with rifles, pangas, iron bars, and sticks attacking travelers, especially during evening hours.

Two businessmen traveling from Kisoro Municipality to Kasharara were recently attacked early this month and lost their property.

The first victim, Moses Turyakira, a trader at Kisoro’s New Park, was assaulted by thugs armed with pangas, stones, and an axe before losing 300,000 shillings. The second victim, Belline Haramurimana, who was returning from selling potatoes in Kisoro, was robbed of over 2.2 million shillings at gunpoint.

Turyakira said the gangs could soon begin targeting tourists, which would damage Kisoro’s tourism image and the country’s reputation.

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The LC3 Chairperson of Nyundo Sub-County and acting head of security for the same area, Fred Mutambuzi Kanyaruju, 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.

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Kisoro District Assistant Resident District Commissioner, John Nizeyimana, confirmed that the security team is aware of the attacks and investigations are ongoing.

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Kisoro District Police Commander Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha condemned the robberies and assured the public that police operations are underway.

CUE IN………KASHUMBUSHA….RR

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;  Lawrence Twizerimana, 57 (father), Njerica Mujawimana , 47 (mother), and their sons Anthony Manirakiza, 30, Junior Kwiringira, 29 and Brian Ndakundimana Brian, 23 . The family’s arrest followed the earlier apprehension of Gerald Irankunda alias Ndereya, 24, and Valence Habyarimana , 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.