Five Family Members Arrested in Kisoro Armed Robbery Crackdown
Authorities in Kisoro District have arrested five members of a single family suspected of masterminding a wave of armed robberies that have rocked the area in recent weeks.
The suspects, all residents of Bupfupfu Village in Muramba Sub-county, include 57-year-old Twizerimana Lawrence, his wife Mujawimana Njerica (47), and their sons: Manirakiza Anthony (30), Kwiringira Junior (29), and Ndakundimana Brian (23).
According to investigators, Twizerimana is believed to have acted as the gang leader—orchestrating the robberies, hiding weapons, and storing stolen property.
The arrest follows earlier operations that netted two other suspects: Irankunda Gerald, alias “Ndereya,” and Habyarimana Valence, both believed to be part of the same criminal syndicate operating across Kisoro Municipality.
Police also linked the group to the late Irankunda Desire, a Congolese national previously arrested for similar crimes. Desire was reportedly lynched by a mob on June 4 in Nyakinama Sub-county while attempting another robbery. Investigators say he mentored Manirakiza, who is now facing charges after CCTV footage placed him at the center of a major robbery on April 29, where over UGX 23 million was stolen from a business at Mugomberero Trading Centre.
Following the deaths and arrests, authorities say Gerald recruited Valence to continue the criminal spree, with another robbery reported in Mutorere.
Kisoro District Police Commander Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha confirmed the arrests and noted that a firearm and a live bullet were retrieved from Shaaza Ground, where the suspects had hidden them.
Deputy RDC Robert Tukamuhabwa added that ballistics matched the weapon to previous robbery cases in Kisoro dating as far back as 2019. He praised the joint intelligence efforts of law enforcement agencies and reassured the public that security in the district has significantly improved.
Despite the mounting evidence, some relatives claim Manirakiza acted alone, distancing the rest of the family from the crimes. However, police maintain the case is ongoing, and more arrests are expected as they dismantle the broader network involved.
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