Police launch Hunt for Killers of Jinja Mobile Money Dealer

Police in Kiira Region are investigating the fatal shooting of Emmanuel Opusi, a mobile money dealer and employee of Keshwala Investments, who supervised Airtel Money operators in Bugembe Ward.

Opusi was attacked while collecting money from an agent in Buwekula Cell, Northern Division, Jinja City. According to an eyewitness, who preferred to remain anonymous, four men driving a grey Premior ambushed them as she was remitting money to Opusi.

The assailants, who spoke in Kiswahili, attempted to snatch a bag of money from Opusi, but he resisted. Enraged, they assaulted him before forcing the agent into the house and shooting Opusi outside her door at around 5:20 PM. The attackers then spent about five minutes searching for the bullet cartridge, which had rolled into the sitting room, before fleeing the scene.

After the assailants left, well-wishers rushed Opusi to a private hospital about four kilometers away. However, due to his critical condition, he was referred to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead in the emergency ward. Another witness, who also requested anonymity, revealed that Opusi regularly carried large sums of cash, typically between UGX 20 million and 50 million, making him a potential target.

The witness claimed the attackers may have been trailing him for some time, as the same car had been seen in the area a day before the incident. Members of Jinja City’s security committee, led by Resident City Commissioner Richard Gulume, inspected the crime scene and interviewed witnesses.

Preliminary findings indicate that Opusi was shot once in the chest at close range, possibly with an AK-47 rifle. Gulume noted that the attackers used feeder roads to escape, likely to avoid pursuit by boda boda riders. He also confirmed that Opusi lost a significant amount of blood, which may have led to his rapid death.

Following the incident, residents have called for the installation of CCTV cameras in rural and semi-urban areas to curb crime. Sarah Nakazi, a resident, argued that Bugembe Town has expanded beyond the highway, with businesses now set up in previously unoccupied areas. “Gone are the days when Bugembe was just along the highway. There are shops all over the former bushy areas, so we need up-to-date surveillance systems to combat modern crime,” Nakazi said. 

Brenda Nairuba, another resident, highlighted the growing insecurity in the area, citing past cases of machete attacks, house break-ins, and now gun violence. She called for increased police presence and special security measures to address the escalating threats. Police are continuing investigations, and no arrests have been made so far.