Security Irked by Spike in Mobile Money and Agent Banking Agents Attacks

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. 

According to police reports, on the 13.06.2023 at around 7:20pm, 3 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 13.06.2023, at around 8:30pm, a 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 2 armed masked men, and robbed 1.5m shs, 2 mobile phone, and fled on a motorcycle towards Nalumunye.

On the 14.06.2023, a one Mutabazi Charles, a 38 year old, businessman of Pece African Quarters, was attacked at around 8:30pm, while closing his place of agent banking. He resisted and fought them, to prompted the robbers to fire shots in the air and robbed 8 agent banking machines of diff banks and cash. The victim was rushed to hospital for treatment. Exhibits of a rusted AK47 was recovered, a magazine, 2 cartridge and a jacket recovered.

Again, on the 15.06.2023, at around 10.30pm, a one Ndagire Sylivia, a mobile money agent of Kitemu trading centre was trailed by a 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 2 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 the 17.06.2023, at around 3pm, a 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 of on the 18.06.2023, at around 10am, with 30m Ugx 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. Matter was reported at Bweyogerere Police Station.

Fred Enanga the Uganda Police Force Spokesperson said, "This calls for vigilance, alteration of routine patterns, target hardening in form of guards and escort services, and a reduction or avoidance of late night movements."