BY BICHOLIN K MUSISI
Kampala, Uganda | A daring daylight robbery at a mobile money outlet in Kitintale ended in dramatic fashion on Thursday morning when community members and police foiled the heist, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the fatal shooting of another.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango, the incident occurred near the Access Building in Kitintale, where armed robbers stormed a mobile money shop run by Ibrahim Ssebanenya and Rashid Kyeyune.
The robbers, wielding firearms, threatened the agents and began packing cash into bags.
The agents, however, managed to escape and raise an alarm, prompting a swift response from area residents who quickly alerted Kitintale police.
Officers responded immediately and pursued the suspects as they fled towards Bugolobi.
During the chase, one of the suspects, identified as Farouk Matovu, was apprehended with the help of the community. He is currently in custody at Jinja Road Police Station.
The second robber attempted to escape while firing shots into the air in an attempt to scare off pursuing officers and boda boda riders.
His escape came to a fatal end in Bugolobi, where a UPDF soldier guarding a private residence intervened and shot him dead.
Police later recovered a rifle with two short magazines at the scene where the second suspect was neutralized.
Investigators are currently processing the crime scene and working to establish the exact amount of money stolen during the robbery.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police have praised the swift action of the community and law enforcement in thwarting the crime. SSP Onyango also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or activity.
Rising Concern
This incident adds to a growing concern over mobile money-related crime in urban areas.
According to Uganda Police Force’s Annual Crime Report 2024, mobile money agents were targeted in 325 robberies, with over Shs 4.7 billion reported stolen nationwide.
Kampala Metropolitan area accounted for over 30% of these cases.
While police continue efforts to combat these crimes, authorities are calling on mobile money operators to install surveillance systems, avoid working alone, and engage private security when handling large cash volumes.
