Police urges Mobile money operators to hire guards

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Police has advised operators of mobile money to hire private security guards.

The development comes in the wake of rampant mobile money attacks. Armed thugs have in the last three weeks shot, killed over seven mobile money and hardware operators in Kampala and its outskirts.

Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson has said mobile money operators can protect their lucrative business by hiring security guards. These, according to Onyango would protect them from being attacked by armed thugs especially at the time of transferring their money.

Robbers moving on three motorcycles have terrorized mobile money operators in areas of Natete Church zone in Lubaga-Kampala, Nansana Municipality, Bunamwaya and Zzana in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality, all in Wakiso District.

The latest incident happened on Monday night where over five robbers, armed with guns and dressed in army like attires showered Harriet Naluwadde and her worker Muareen Nakabubi with bullets killing them instantly.

This came a week after three workers of Cheap General Hardware were killed in broad day robbery where masked thugs robbed over Shs385m. Robbers blocked Hoima highway for more than 30 minutes but police that is in a few metres from the scene did not intervene.

Onyango further advises that mobile money operators should install private Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) for individual security and also avoid hosting idlers near their businesses.

Police also adds that mobile money agents should also avoid having specific time of banking. He advises them to at keep varying the time they do their banking.

However, a mobile money operator Rhoda Kaolanzi cast doubt in police advice saying an operator whose capital is Shs1m cannot afford security guards and CCTV cameras.

******

URN