Uganda Police, alongside sister security agencies, have launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of Justine Tusingwire, a mobile money operator, who was killed during a late-night robbery near her home in Kaliro District.
The attack occurred about 300 meters from her mobile money shop, where she and her husband, Rodgers Batambwire, were ambushed by armed men dressed in dark hooded jumpers and black sporty trousers.
The assailants, who were masked and riding an unregistered old motorcycle, confronted the couple shortly after they had closed their shop. Without warning, the gunmen fired at close range, fatally injuring Tusingwire.
Despite being rushed to a hospital for emergency treatment, Tusingwire succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival.
This incident is part of a rising trend of violent attacks targeting mobile money operators in Uganda, as criminals are lured by the cash-heavy nature of their business.
Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred in Gulu, where another operator was shot and killed during a robbery.
Batambwire, who survived the attack, described the shocking moment when the gunmen opened fire without provocation. He and other witnesses found it difficult to identify the attackers due to their masks and the lack of identifiable features.
Police officials suspect the attackers are part of an organized criminal group that has carried out similar heists in other regions. No arrests have been made yet, but authorities have assured the public that efforts are being intensified to track down the culprits.
In light of this rising threat, police have urged mobile money operators to take extra precautions, such as closing their shops earlier and avoiding carrying large sums of cash at night.
They also called on the community to report any suspicious activity, stressing that public cooperation could be key to cracking down on these violent criminals.