Police delink mobile money operator murder from city robberies

KAMPALA - Police in Kampala say they are separately investigating the gruesome murder of Sophia Nakiwolo from a string of city robberies that occurred earlier the same day.

Nakiwolo, a 28-year-old mobile money operator who was stabbed multiple times inside her shop along Nkurumah  Road, was attacked on Saturday, June 28, 2025, evening by yet-to-be-identified assailants who reportedly entered her shop (Number KC18), locked the door, and assaulted her with a knife before fleeing.

The motive is believed to be robbery, although investigators have not ruled out other possibilities.

Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire told journalists on Monday, June 30, 2025,  that a male co-worker was found at the scene by security guards and residents, allegedly trying to drag Nakiwolo’s body back into the shop.

“He claims he had responded to her screams and was also stabbed in the leg during a rescue attempt,” Owoyesigyire said during the press briefing at Police headquarters in Naguru.

“The public mistook him for the attacker and nearly lynched him before Police intervened. He is currently under Police guard, receiving treatment.”

Owoyesigyire said Police recovered a blood-stained knife from the scene, which has been submitted to the forensic laboratory for analysis. A nearby CCTV camera is also being reviewed to establish the sequence of events.

Separate incident

“We want to make it clear that this incident is being handled separately and is not connected to earlier incidents of robbery that occurred near the National Theatre and UBC roundabout. The timelines and circumstances differ significantly,” he said.

The clarification came a day after Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, issued a public statement on Sunday, June 29, addressing the same speculation.

Onyango confirmed that 30 suspects, including two women, had been arrested in connection with a series of co-ordinated robberies that occurred earlier on Saturday as crowds gathered to attend the nomination event of President Yoweri Museveni.

“The suspects disguised themselves in yellow T-shirts to blend in with NRM supporters and carried out violent attacks on pedestrians, motorists, and bodaboda riders,” Onyango said.

He said Police tracked the gang using city CCTV cameras and picked up the suspects from multiple hideouts in Kampala. They are currently detained at Central Police Station and Wandegeya Police Station. One suspect was injured during arrest while attempting to flee.

“Our teams are reviewing more CCTV footage to identify additional culprits. We urge victims who have not reported to come forward so we can build a stronger case,” Onyango said.

He added that the suspects face charges of simple robbery and assault and that investigations remain ongoing.