A mobile money and banking agent, Rashid Kizza, aged 28, was fatally shot on Monday night by unidentified assailants in Busia. The horrifying event unfolded as Kizza was closing his shop in Sofia ‘B’ village, Busia municipality, at approximately 7:30 PM.
Busia Resident District Commissioner, Michael Kibwika, confirmed the news, revealing that after the shooting, the perpetrators fled the scene, taking with them a bag containing money, mobile phones, and keys to Kizza’s shop and home. Eyewitnesses recounted the moments leading up to the fatal attack.
According to Job Mutesa, a friend of the victim who witnessed the incident, two criminals arrived at the shop on a motorcycle. Without warning, one of the assailants brandished a concealed firearm wrapped in cloth and fired at Kizza from close range, striking him in the chest. The swift and ruthless nature of the attack left bystanders in shock and disbelief.
Even prior to the shooting, residents had noticed suspicious activity in the vicinity. A vegetable vendor near the scene recalled seeing two individuals dressed in black jackets, heightening concerns about potential danger. Following the shooting, the criminals swiftly fled the scene, escaping towards the direction of Kenya on their motorcycle.
Efforts to save Kizza’s life were in vain, as Jalia Naigaga, who rushed to assist upon discovering him in a pool of blood, tragically revealed that he succumbed to his injuries before reaching Busia Health Centre IV. The senseless violence has left the community reeling and questioning the adequacy of security measures in the area.
Local officials, including Sofia municipal councilor Bashir Wanyama and Busia Mayor Sadiki Amin, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation. Wanyama highlighted a recent decline in security, with criminal gangs resorting to violence and wielding machetes in the streets. Mayor Amin lamented security lapses and the alarming surge in crime, citing previous incidents including a fatal fire at Victory Primary School and attacks on boda boda riders.
