The body of Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola, the State Minister for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations picked from his home in Kyanja and taken to the mortuary by police after he was shot dead by his bodyguard, Pt Wilson Sabiiti, who later committed suicide by shooting on May 2, 2023.
Wilson Sabiiti shot dead retired Colonel Charles Okello Engola, deputy minister for gender and labour, at his home in the capital Kampala on Tuesday.
The soldier then turned the gun on himself and took his own life.
It is not yet clear whether there had been an argument between the two men. Sabiiti was assigned to the minister’s security detail a month ago.
Before he took his own life, some eyewitnesses said they saw Sabiiti walking around the neighbourhood and shooting in the air.
An aide to the minister, Ronald Otim, was wounded during the shoot-out at the house. He is receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.
Initial reports suggest a number of other people may be injured and videos on social media showed locals gathering at the scene in shock.
Col Engola was a senior member of the government, and had previously served as a deputy minister for defence.
The speaker of Uganda’s parliament confirmed Col Engola’s death in a short statement while presiding over its morning session.
“This morning I received sad news that Hon Engola has been shot by his bodyguard and after, shot himself. May his soul rest in peace. That was God’s plan. We can’t change anything,” Anita Among told MPs on Tuesday.
The Uganda police, while sharing preliminary information about the killing of the minister, said the deceased was gunned down at 8:00 am in the Kyanja suburb of Kampala.
Uganda police spokesman, Fred Enanga, said, “The shooting was done by one of the minister’s bodyguards who also fired several shots at close range. The shooter then fled the scene to the trading centre at Kyanja Ring Road where he entered a salon and shot himself.”
The police mouthpiece said the investigations were in the early stages. The shooter was identified as Wilson Sabiiti, an ex-soldier.
According to East African, a witness said Sabiiti complained that the minister owed him several months of unpaid salary as he shot in the air to warn civilians at Kyanja town, moments before turning the gun at himself.
“We have dispatched crime scene experts who will use advanced technology to determine what exactly the cause of the murder was,” he added.
According to The Independent, eyewitnesses said the Uganda People’s Defence Force soldier complained about non-payment of his wages and mistreatment before he shot himself.
A photo of the crime scene that has gone viral on social media shows the minister’s body in a blue Kaunda suit lying in a pool of blood next to his official car.
Police said investigations had commenced and expressed grief at the situation.
“The motive of the murder has not yet been established. The investigation is currently in the early stages of review, with CID and forensic experts, already documenting the scene,” Enanga said.
“The DIGP and a team of directors have visited the scene and extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, friends and relatives.
“We would like to further extend heartfelt condolences to H.E. the President, all cabinet ministers, the staff at the ministry of labour, gender and social development.
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