Kampala, Uganda —Tragedy struck Kiwatule Central Zone on the evening of November 21, 2024, as a robbery turned deadly, leaving two men dead and a neighbourhood in mourning.
The victims were Albert Tugume, a 34-year-old mobile money operator, and Sabiti Banabas, a 30-year-old boda boda rider who died trying to save his friend from armed assailants.
Tugume, who operated a mobile money and bank agent shop, was closing for the day when attackers ambushed him.
Witnesses say he attempted to escape but was chased down and fatally shot by one of the gunmen. Banabas, a trusted boda boda rider who had transported Tugume for years, courageously stepped in to help but was shot twice in the chest by another assailant waiting nearby.
Banabas was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries hours later. Tugume’s body was taken to the City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Banabas’ bravery has struck a chord in Kiwatule, with residents hailing him as a community hero. Known for his dedication and selflessness, Banabas was more than just a boda boda rider—he was a friend and protector.
“He died trying to save a life. His sacrifice will not be forgotten,” said Paul Kibilige, a local leader.
This incident marks the third robbery targeting mobile money operators in Kiwatule in recent months. Residents are calling for urgent government intervention to address the growing insecurity.
“Mobile money operators are being hunted like animals,” said one distraught neighbour. “We need more patrols, especially as the festive season nears.”
The brazen attack has reignited debates on the safety of small business operators and the need for better regulation of firearms in the city.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed that critical evidence, including a vehicle damaged by stray bullets, was recovered at the scene. The police have launched a manhunt for the attackers.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of Tugume and Banabas. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Owoyesigyire.
He urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in combating such violence.
The attack has left Tugume’s family devastated. He was the brother of Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, who expressed her grief on social media, describing her brother’s death as a senseless act of violence.
As the community mourns its loss, calls for swift action and justice grow louder. The deaths of Tugume and Banabas highlight the urgent need for strengthened security to protect vulnerable individuals and restore peace to Kampala’s neighbourhoods.
