EDITOR
The Territorial Joint Security forces in Kisoro District have arrested a man suspected of stealing an SAR rifle from a security guard at Pearl Hotel in Kabale Municipality.
The suspect, identified as Hakizimana Emmanuel, alias Zulunguriye Black, was intercepted on April 19, 2025, at around 10:20 PM by a joint security patrol comprising police, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) personnel. The arrest took place in Kashaija Village, Kashaija Ward, Rubuguri Town Council, Kisoro District.
According to authorities, the suspect was found in possession of an SAR rifle, registration number 564 210028-15120. The joint patrol, while conducting a motorized sweep, encountered Hakizimana, who attempted to flee upon being stopped. He was pursued, apprehended, and found with the firearm in his possession.
Investigations revealed that the rifle had been stolen on April 10, 2025, from Byonanebye Osbert, a security guard with Ruhama Veterans, who was on duty at Pearl Hotel located in Kigongi Cell, Central Division, Kabale Municipality. At the time of theft, the rifle contained two rounds of ammunition; however, upon recovery, it held only one.
Police reports indicate that Hakizimana is a habitual offender with a long criminal record. In 2021, he was released from Ndorwa Prison in Kabale after serving time for robbery charges. In 2022, he was arrested for breaking into Mutanda Lake Hotel, where he allegedly stole valuable,s including cash, cameras, and a mobile phone from tourists. However, he was later discharged due to a lack of witness testimony, as the tourists had returned to their home countries.
In March 2024, he was again apprehended for stealing clothes belonging to D/C Tumuramye Rodney from Kisoro Police Barracks (CRB 321/2024). He was caught wearing the stolen clothes, charged in court, convicted, and fined UGX 250,000, which he paid before being released.
On December 16, 2024, Hakizimana was reportedly found cooking food inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by a joint patrol of UPDF and UWA. He escaped, leaving behind documents including national IDs and photographs, which were later handed over to the UPDF 35th Battalion in Nyakabande.
The suspect is expected to be transferred to the UPDF 2nd Division headquarters in Mbarara for further management.
ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigations.
