Police in Omoro District are pursuing armed suspects who attacked a mobile money outlet at Koch-Ongako Trading Centre, killing the agent and injuring two clients in a late-evening raid, authorities said.
The incident occurred a few minutes after 8:00 pm on Wednesday at Multi-Com Enterprises, located in Koch-Ongako Sub-County, about 400 metres from Koch-Ongako police station.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived on a motorcycle before two of them entered the shop while a third remained outside.
Alfred Ojok, a bodaboda rider at the trading centre, said the assailants initially posed as customers intending to deposit money.
‘One of them remained on the motorcycle, and two entered the shop, inside which two other clients were transacting,’ he told Monitor.
Ojok said the attackers then demanded cash and opened fire when the agent resisted.
‘The robber with the gun stood by the door and shot the agent multiple times. His accomplice went behind the counter and grabbed the money. The shots also injured the two other clients,’ he said.
Police said the attackers fled with an unspecified amount of money.
A police officer at Koch-Ongako police station, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the injured were taken to St Mary’s Hospital Lacor for treatment.
The officer said the mobile money agent, identified as Raymond Okello, died shortly after being shot.
‘Police officers rushed to the scene, but the attackers had already fled. We pursued them but lost track at Koch-Goma Town Council,’ the officer said.
Omoro District Police Commander Amiir Magulu declined to comment, citing ongoing investigations.
Omoro Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okot confirmed the incident and said security agencies had launched a joint manhunt.
‘We are pursuing the robbers with the joint efforts of the police and the UPDF soldiers,’ Okot said.
He said preliminary arrests had been made but declined to provide details, citing concerns over interference with investigations.
Security incidents involving mobile money operators have been reported in several parts of northern Uganda in recent years, often targeting cash-heavy businesses in trading centres with limited night security.