Armed robbers invade Fort Portal City, shoot mobile money agent dead

FORT PORTAL, UGANDA: Police in Fort Portal City have launched investigations on how armed robbers on Wednesday night stormed Butebe suburb and shot dead a mobile money agent before taking off.

The deceased Ryan Kahwa aged 29 years, was a businessman and resident of Futi Butangwa cell, Butebe Ward, North Division Fort Portal City according to the police.

The Rwenzori west regional police spokesperson, Vincent Twesige said that it’s alleged that on Wednesday at around 9 pm, at Futi Butangwa cell Butebe Ward North Division Fort Portal City, the deceased who operated mobile money in his shop was running his business as usual when he received two male adult customers. One who was dressed in black trousers and black shoes told him that he wanted to withdraw sh1.2million.

“As soon as the deceased started entering the phone number, one of the men shot him once in the shoulder and he fell,” Twesige said.

Twesige said that the friend to the deceased, Martin Ayebale who was at the scene was threatened by the thugs not to make any alarm.

“The killers warned Ayebale to stop talking or moving lest they would shoot him too. After warning him, the second thug opened the deceased’s drawer and grabbed the cash (amount yet to be established) before the two took off on foot and disappeared in the neighbourhood,” Ayebale said.

Twesige said that two male suspects have since been arrested to assist in investigations. The two had appeared around the scene a few minutes before the incident and had just hired a room in the same building.

“We have arrested two suspects who had hired a room at the same building for sleeping they are in our custody,” Twesige said.

Martin Ayebale who was at the scene of the crime at the time it happened said they thought the thugs were genuine customers but turned out to be criminals.

Last week armed robbers attacked another businessman in Bunyangabu district and killed him and took off with the money.