By Jamillah Kemigisa
Police have launched a manhunt for unknown assailants who shot and killed a prominent local businessman, Albert Magezi, in a suspected targeted robbery on Monday night.
Magezi, a well-known tomato trader, was ambushed and killed instantly by armed attackers who are believed to have trailed him from the market after a successful day of business. The robbery occurred along the Fort Portal–Bundibugyo Road, a busy trade corridor near the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border.
According to Rose Komukibuga, the widow of the deceased, Magezi had transacted business involving 60 boxes of tomatoes, each reportedly selling for between UGX 200,000 and UGX 250,000. She recounted that the gunmen demanded his money bag, and when he resisted, they shot him at close range.
“This wasn’t the first warning sign,” Komukibuga revealed. “Just last Tuesday, unknown individuals came looking for him at night, but we didn’t open the door.”
The brutal killing has shocked the Fort Portal community, which is grappling with a rising wave of armed robberies. Residents have expressed fears about growing insecurity, citing a recent incident where another businessman was shot at a pub in Rwengoma, a suburb of the city.
Vincent Twesigye, spokesperson for the Rwenzori Region Police, confirmed the incident and said detectives are pursuing leads.
“By the time our officers arrived, the crime scene had already been tampered with. However, we managed to collect statements from several witnesses, including the widow,” he stated.
Twesigye also cautioned the public against carrying large amounts of cash, suggesting the attackers may have been aware that Magezi had substantial earnings with him that night.
Rising Gun Violence Raises Alarm
Fort Portal, a fast-growing city in Western Uganda, has recently seen an increase in violent crimes—many involving illegal firearms. Security analysts point to the city’s proximity to the DRC as a contributing factor, citing porous borders that facilitate arms smuggling and cross-border criminal networks.
Over the past several months, traders and business owners in the region have raised alarm over a series of violent robberies targeting individuals who deal in cash-heavy enterprises such as agriculture, transportation, and retail.
Local leaders and security experts are now calling for:
- Enhanced border security to prevent illegal arms trafficking,
- Increased intelligence operations to dismantle criminal syndicates,
- And greater community vigilance to support law enforcement efforts.
The tragic murder of Albert Magezi underscores the growing threat faced by local traders and the urgent need for robust intervention by government and security agencies.
As investigations continue, residents remain on edge, calling for swift justice and lasting solutions to restore safety and confidence in the region.
