Kisoro Armed Robberies: 5 Family Members arrested from Nyakinama

By Akampurira Derrick

Police in Kisoro District have arrested five members of the same family in connection with a series of armed robberies that shook the district in recent weeks.

The suspects are all residents of Bupfumfu Village, Murambi Parish in Nyakinama Sub County.

These include Twizerimana Lawrence, 57, the father, his wife, Mujawimana Anjerica, 47, their children Manirakiza Anthony, 30, Kwiringira Junior, 29, and 23-year-old Nkundimana Brian.

Security suspects the 5 family members of involvement in armed robberies, with the father, Twizerimana, acting as the commander of the criminal gang and hiding both stolen equipment and weapons, said Kisoro District Police Commander, Ben Nuwamanya Kashumbusha.

Their arrest followed earlier apprehension of two other suspects, Irankunda Gerald alias Ndereya, 24, of Kamonyi Ward, and Habyarimana Valence, 40, of Kisoro Hill, both in Kisoro Municipality.

Connections with lynched Congolese

He had reportedly been adopted by Twizerimana and was instrumental in recruiting and training Manirakiza (Twizerimana’s son) to carry out criminal operations in the district.

According to police reports, the late Irankunda Desire, a Congolese national, also a notorious offender, was killed by a mob on June 4, 2025, in Nyakinama Sub County after being caught in suspected criminal activity.

Manirakiza was later arrested after CCTV footage linked him to one of the most significant incidents, a robbery that occurred on April 29, 2025, at Mugomberero Trading Centre in Muramba Sub County, where over 23 million Shillings was stolen.

According to police reports, following the arrest of Manirakiza and the death of his associate, Irankunda Desire, it is said that Irankunda Gerald is believed to have recruited Habyarimana Valence to aid in further criminal activities, including a recent robbery in Mutorere, where a fuel station and a shop were robbed.

“The family’s arrest followed confessions from earlier suspects,” Kisoro District Police Commander, Ben Kashumbusha, confirmed, adding that “a firearm and a live bullet were recovered from Shaaza Ground, where the weapon had been hidden.”

“The CCTV camera helped us arrest Manirakiza Anthony. The other suspects are Irankunda Gerald, who had been arrested and handed over to the Police Flying Squad in Mbarara. Still, he escaped and came back here to continue with the robberies.”

Recovered gun linked to 2019 crimes

“Our intelligence system indicates the same firearm is linked to criminal activities in Kisoro dating back to 2019, and the gun has been used to kill 3 or 4 people,” said Kisoro District Deputy RDC, Robert Tukamuhabwa.

Tukamuhabwa commended the efforts of the district’s security teams and assured the public that security in the area has significantly improved.

“I want to assure the people of Kisoro that our borders are safe and secure. They should continue with their daily work. We shall arrest everyone connected to these activities.”

According to Tukamuhebwa, security will continue to rely on intelligence reports to investigate the suspects, urging the public to provide any information they may have.