The Joint Security Agencies have registered an increase in targeted attacks on mobile money dealers and banking agents.
“The nature of the attacks are follow-home and front-gate attacks and physical/direct attacks at the premises, and while in transit to and from the banks. This calls for vigilance, alteration of routine patterns, target hardening in the form of guards and escort services, and a reduction or avoidance of late-night movements,” said SCP Enanga Fred, Police Spokesperson.
According to Enanga, on June 13, 2023, at around 7: 20 pm, three unknown gunmen attacked Girisa’s shop at Lodongo main market, Lodongo town council in Yumbe district and robbed cash and a mobile phone before getting away on a motorcycle.
On the same day at around 8:30 pm, one Nkalubo Brian, a 31-year-old mobile money agent at Kinawa Charles trading centre, Bandwe cell, Kasenge ward, Kyengera town council, was attacked by two armed masked men and robbed him of Shs1.5m and two mobile phones. They then fled on a motorcycle towards Nalumunye.
On June 14, 2023, one Mutabazi Charles, a 38-year-old businessman of Pece African Quarters, was attacked at around 8:30 pm while closing his place of agent banking.
He resisted and fought them prompting the robbers to fire shots in the air. They then robbed eight agent banking machines of diff banks and cash.
The victim was rushed to hospital for treatment. Exhibits of a rusted AK47, a magazine, two cartridges and a jacket were recovered.
On June 15, 2023, at around 10.30 pm, one Ndagire Sylvia, a mobile money agent of Kitemu trading centre was trailed by ride-along robbers who attacked her immediately after she was dropped at the access road to her home in Kuminemu zone, Nsangi ward, Kyengera Town Council.
They grabbed her handbag containing 3m and two mobile phones. She made an alarm which prompted gunshots that partly injured her. She was rushed to Victor Medical Center Nsangi for first aid.
On June 17, 2023, at around 3 pm, one Mushabe Moses, a 46-year-old businessman of Katanabirwa village, Kyenda sub-county in Kyankwanzi district, was invited to Kampala by Muwonge Brian, a hand broker and neighbour in the village, after allegedly getting for him land to buy.
The victim set off on June 18, 2023, at around 10 am with Shs30m up to Nansana. Muwonge called two boda boda to take the victim to witness the land in Bweyogerere.
While in an isolated place in Bweyogerere, they turned against him and robbed the bag with cash. The matter was reported at Bweyogerere Police Station.