Police in Mwanza offer opportunity for voluntary surrender of illegally-owned firearms

MWANZA: THE Mwanza Regional Police Force has begun a campaign for the voluntary surrender of firearms, urging citizens who possess weapons illegally to surrender them without fear within a specific period set.

The Mwanza Regional Police Commander, Mr Wilbroad Mutafungwa, said today at his office that the exercise began September 1 this year and is expected to be completed on October 31this year.

He said the campaign is being implemented after being launched nationally by the Minister of Home Affairs, Katambi Patrobas on August 31, 2026 with the aim of giving citizens who possess weapons illegally and in violation of the country’s procedures an opportunity to return them peacefully.

Mr Mutafungwa said the weapons that must be surrendered include firearms owned without registration or official permits, weapons of deceased persons that have not been returned to the government and weapons owned by people who have lost their legal status due to age or health challenges.

He added that legal weapons that are misused against the safety of the community as well as all locally made weapons should also be surrendered.

According to Commander Mutafungwa, citizens can surrender such weapons at all Police Stations, District Commissioners’ Offices, Local Government or Village Chairpersons’ Offices, as well as other open and safe areas nearby.

He said that after the end of the voluntary surrender period, legal action will be taken against anyone found to be in possession of weapons illegally.

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“The Mwanza Regional Police Force urges all citizens to use this opportunity of legal amnesty to surrender all weapons owned illegally voluntarily and without fear,” he said.

 He said the surrender of weapons is part of efforts to strengthen peace, security and safety in Mwanza Region, urging citizens to take advantage of the opportunity before the deadline expires.