Police recently arrested a UPDF soldier for gold mine guard killing, along with five civilians linked to the brutal murder of a security guard at a gold mining site in eastern Uganda. Emmanuel Rome, the victim, was on night duty at Harmony Resource Gold Mine in Bude, Bukooli Town Council, Mayuge District when attackers struck overnight Tuesday.
According to Michael Kafayo, police spokesperson for the Busoga East region, the attackers stabbed Emmanuel multiple times on the head with sharp objects. Then, they tied him with ropes and dumped his body under a tree. Emmanuel worked for Sun Security Group, a private firm responsible for protecting the site.
Among the suspects is a sergeant in the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). In addition, the five civilians are believed to be gold dealers from neighbouring Namayingo District. Police are still investigating the motive; however, they have not ruled out robbery.
Officers recovered the guard’s SMG rifle about 800 meters from the crime scene. Furthermore, a passing truck driver heard an alarm and alerted locals, who subsequently found the body and notified authorities.
“We are investigating the case and expect more arrests,” Kafayo said. However, police have not yet confirmed whether the suspects targeted gold or money.
All six suspects remain in custody at Bugiri Central Police Station and face preliminary murder charges. Moreover, Bugiri Hospital will conduct a post-mortem to confirm the exact cause of death.
Locals have expressed concern about the UPDF soldier arrested for gold mine guard killing. This is especially true given the Special Forces Command’s reputation for elite presidential protection and high-security operations. So far, the military has not commented on the sergeant’s arrest.
Violence frequently surrounds Uganda’s mineral extraction sites, particularly where artisanal mining thrives. In fact, officials have warned that criminal activity around these resources is increasing.
Therefore, this case highlights ongoing security challenges at mining sites. Ultimately, protecting workers and resources is vital to prevent future tragedies.