Residents of Nabuta Village in Goma Division, Mukono Municipality, are gripped by fear after armed robbers raided their trading centre on Wednesday night, killing a mobile money agent and looting several shops.
The deceased has been identified as Peter Ssekamate Derrick, a well-known mobile money operator in the area. He was shot in the chest by the assailants during the attack that occurred at around 11:00 p.m. on November 5, 2025.
According to preliminary police findings, the gang, believed to be part of a wider criminal network operating within the Kampala Metropolitan Area, stormed Nabuta Trading Centre wearing black jackets and helmets. Armed with guns, they moved from shop to shop, robbing traders of cash and valuables estimated to be worth over Shs 40 million.
Victims of the robbery include Nafayo Justine, Namatovu Prossy alias Maama Ibra, and Ssekamate Peter, among others. Witnesses said Ssekamate tried to resist the robbers and was shot at close range. He was rushed to Mukono General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries around 12:40 a.m.
“People here are living in fear because cases of theft and robbery have been increasing,” said Janet Tumutende, the Local Councillor and resident of Nabuta Village. “We have already held a community meeting to discuss ways of strengthening security. We appeal to authorities for immediate intervention before more lives are lost.”
Residents of Kirowooza and Nabuta villages, where similar incidents have been reported, say they are terrified by the growing wave of armed robberies in Mukono. They have also raised concerns over the increasing circulation of illegal guns in civilian hands.
One of the victims, Nafayo Justine, narrated how the attackers ordered him and his colleagues to surrender their earnings at gunpoint.
“We had no choice but to give them the money. What hurts most is that we pay for security ourselves, but the attacks keep happening,” he lamented.
The Nabuta Village Chairperson, Senyonjo Kyeyune, described the area as previously peaceful and expressed shock at how the heavily armed men managed to strike undetected. He appealed to police to step up patrols, especially as the festive season approaches.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango confirmed that detectives had visited the scene and recovered crucial evidence to aid investigations.
“The modus operandi of these thugs is similar to that of other armed robbers terrorising the Kampala Metropolitan area. We are following several leads that could help track down the suspects,” he said.
Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or movements as the hunt for the robbers intensifies.
