Police arrest four suspects in murder of Soroti mobile money operator
“The suspects, who were armed with a rifle, forcefully pulled her out of the vehicle and robbed her of an unspecified amount of money. During the incident, the victim was shot and later succumbed to her injuries at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital,” said Kyoga East Regional Police commander Ibrahim Saiga.
Police said Kokunda was attacked by armed robbers riding on a numberless motorcycle shortly after boarding a taxi en route to Ocorimongin Cattle Market in Katakwi district.
SOROTI - Police in Soroti city have revealed that all four key suspects accused of robbing and killing a mobile money operator on Good Friday have been arrested.
The Kyoga East Regional Police Commander, Ibrahim Saiga, said in a statement issued today, Monday (April 6), that police recovered sh7m and the deceased’s smartphone.
The suspects accused of murdering Patricia Kokunda, have been identified as Alex Okello, Felix Onego, Simon Epeu alias Iboda, and Alfred Elacu.
“Efforts are underway to recover the killer weapon, trace and recover additional exhibits, including the motorcycle used in the commission of the crime,” Saiga said in the Easter Monday statement.
He explained that the alleged shooter is among the four suspects currently in custody. Detectives recovered the smartphone from Kichinjaji, a suburb of the city.
Armed robbers turned what was meant to be a solemn Christian holiday into a day of grief after attacking 32-year-old Kokunda. The incident occurred at around 5:40 am at Teso Coach Park on Station Road, near Goal Man Supermarket.
Police said Kokunda was attacked by armed robbers riding on a numberless motorcycle shortly after boarding a taxi en route to Ocorimongin Cattle Market in Katakwi district.
“The suspects, who were armed with a rifle, forcefully pulled her out of the vehicle and robbed her of an unspecified amount of money. During the incident, the victim was shot and later succumbed to her injuries at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital,” said Kyoga East Regional Police commander Ibrahim Saiga.
On the day of the incident, police arrested three suspects with the help of CCTV footage from the area.
Ibrahim Saiga
Although police have not established the amount of money stolen, family sources claim that Kokunda, whose burial is scheduled for today, Monday, April 6, in her ancestral home in Kyampanga subcounty, Kazo district, was carrying over sh30m.
“She could have carried over sh30m because she always withdraws money for cattle traders in cattle markets. That business has been helping her take care of our four children,” said her husband, Moses Akol.
Police condemned the incident and reassured the public of their continued efforts to ensure safety and security.
“We urge individuals, especially those dealing in large sums of cash, to take extra security precautions and cooperate with law enforcement,” Saiga added.
Meanwhile, the 2025 Annual Crime Report indicates a slight decline in robbery cases, from 8,163 incidents in 2024 to 7,864 in 2025. However, cases of murder by shooting increased by 1.1 percent, with 190 people killed in 2025 compared to 188 the previous year.
Of those killed, 171 were adult males, 12 were adult females, and seven were male juveniles.
Police further noted that lethal weapons, including firearms, knives, hammers, and machetes, were used in 6,546 aggravated robberies out of the 7,863 cases recorded, underscoring the continued threat posed by violent crime.