[PHOTOS]: Police recover 6 guns from Kimihurura family home

Six old hunting guns, also known as deer rifles, were recovered from a Kimihurura residence owned by Josephine Uwamwezi, a local businesswoman, popularly known as Nyiragasazi.

Monday, April 04, 2016
Josephine Uwamwezi, best known by her nickname Nyiragasazi, being arrested by the police yesterday after guns were found in her home. (Faustin Niyigena)

Six old hunting guns, also known as deer rifles, were recovered from a Kimihurura residence owned by Josephine Uwamwezi, a local businesswoman, popularly known as Nyiragasazi.

The rifles were recovered by workers as they demolished her house to pave way for the construction of a new road connecting from The New Times’ offices to the Kacyiru-Kimihurura road, just behind Kigali Heights, a new shopping complex that is under construction.

The small house where guns were found inside Nyiragasazi's home compound. 

It all started around midday yesterday when a bulldozer which was dismantling the house hit the cases in which the guns were being kept.

Then workers of Horizon Group, contracted to build the road, noticed a couple of guns stashed in their cases, and subsequently alerted police which immediately rushed to the scene.

The car takes guns (covered) and Nyiragasazi out of the scene.

The police, which cordoned off the area for thorough investigation, later apprehended the owner (Josephine Uwamwezi), who was yet to vacate the expropriated premises after she was reportedly said to have vehemently resisted the call for relocation.

Police spokesman Assistant Commissioner of Police Celestin Twahirwa, later confirmed the recovery of the six old guns, adding that the owner of the house was still under interrogation by the police.

The incident attracted a big crowd in the neighborhood.

"These are types of guns used for hunting which date way back to the 1990s and, according to the owner of the house; the guns belonged to her former husband whom she has since divorced;

"The guns look like they have been there for some time, although they have never been reported to the police as provided by the law. Of course we are still investigating the case and we will verify the truth of her statement,” he said.

Road construction works resumed after the Police finished the search. (All photos by Faustin Niyigena)

Twahirwa, who said Uwamwezi’s husband is yet to be arrested, told The New Times that failure to report such arms has criminal implications.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw