By Lawrence Kooko
Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the aggravated robbery and killing of a mobile money operator in Soroti City.
The victim, 32-year-old Kokunda Patricia, was attacked in the early hours of Friday, April 3, 2026, at about 4:40 a.m. near Goalman Supermarket along Station Road.
According to East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Ibrahim Saiga, Kokunda was targeted while boarding a taxi to Ocorimongin Cattle Market in Katakwi District. Assailants riding an unregistered motorcycle intercepted the vehicle, pulled her out and robbed her of cash.
She was shot during the attack and later died at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
Police say two suspects were arrested on the same day after officers reviewed CCTV footage and gathered evidence from the scene.
In a latest update, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that two more suspects, including the alleged shooter, have been arrested following intelligence-led operations.
One suspect was arrested in Anyara, Kalaki District, where police recovered seven million shillings believed to be part of the stolen money. The victim’s mobile phone was also recovered from a bush in Kichinjani.
Investigations are ongoing.
Rising violent robberies
Police say the Soroti case reflects a growing trend of attacks targeting people handling cash, especially mobile money operators.
The 2025 Annual Crime Report shows 2,101 aggravated robbery cases were recorded, up from 1,968 in 2024.
Cases involving firearms rose to 352 from 193 the previous year.
Robberies targeting cash handlers increased to 786 from 573. Of these, 200 cases are in court, 72 were dropped and 514 are still under investigation.
Kampala Metropolitan North, South and East recorded the highest numbers
