Five security guards have been arrested in Rubanda district, Uganda, after they allegedly threatened to shoot at the team of Minister of State for Mineral Development, Hon Phiona Nyamutooro, police have confirmed.

Nyamutooro was visiting the district to investigate an alleged illegal mining site operated by National Cement Company in Butare Katoojo.

The Minister, accompanied by a technical team from the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines and the Police Mobile Patrol Unit (PMPU), arrived at the site to inspect Iron Ore Exploration License No. EL00340 belonging to STEAM Investments in Muko.

This visit followed a complaint by STEAM Investments that their exploration license had been encroached upon by individuals allegedly working for John Muluri Muyambi and National Cement Company, who were reportedly mining illegally without a license.

According to a police statement, the security guards blocked the Minister's convoy as she attempted to proceed for a fact-finding inspection. The guards then allegedly cocked their guns and threatened to shoot.

The five security guards were subsequently arrested and disarmed.