Residents of Nabuta village in Mukono District were thrown into panic on Thursday evening after a mobile money agent identified as Peter Ssekamate was shot and killed by armed robbers who raided the area and looted several businesses.
According to witnesses, two men armed with guns moved from one mobile money shop to another, demanding cash from each operator. Ssekamate reportedly lost his life after questioning who they were.
“They first told his wife to move aside before ordering him to hand over all the money he had. When he asked who they were, they took the money and shot him instantly,” said one eyewitness.
The chairperson of Nabuta village, Mr. Ssenyonga Kyeyune, revealed that the attackers are suspected to have come from the nearby Kirowooza village. He expressed concern over the rising cases of armed robberies targeting mobile money agents and shop owners in Mukono and surrounding areas.
“These robbers usually strike between 7 pm and 9 pm. They don’t want anyone to resist. The young man who died only asked who they were, and they shot him without hesitation,” Kyeyune explained.
He appealed for increased police patrols, saying traders are now living in constant fear as similar attacks have been reported in nearby trading centres.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the incident, noting that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest the suspects.
“The way these criminals operate is similar to previous cases reported in Kampala and Wakiso. They seem to have extended their attacks to new areas, but our security teams are working together to track them down,” Onyango stated.
He added that police are reviewing CCTV footage and intelligence reports to trace the robbers’ movements after the shooting.
Earlier this year, similar incidents occurred in Kasangati and Kakiri, where masked gunmen killed traders dealing in mobile money and retail businesses. Police later arrested several suspects and fatally shot one during a chase, though some members of the group are still on the run.
The latest killing has left residents of Mukono deeply worried, as many fear conducting business in the evenings due to the rising insecurity in the area.