Army bodyguard shoots Labour minister Engola dead in Kyanja 

The state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Rtd Col Charles Okello Engola has been shot dead by his army bodyguard, Pte Wilson Sabiiti. 

Engola, 65, was shot dead today morning at about 9.00 am as he entered his car at his home in Kyanja in Nakawa division to go to work.

Ronald Otim, who was Engola’s ADC sustained severe injuries and is currently admitted at Mulago hospital.

After killing the minister, Sabiiti walked up to the trading centre before he shot himself dead from inside a nearby salon after reportedly chasing away all the people inside and saying his problems are not with ordinary citizens but with the government that has delayed to pay him.

According to some eyewitnesses, the guard first had a quarrel with the minister whom he accused of mistreatment and failing to give him some money to help him sort out his financial challenges back home to cater for his pregnant wife. 

Police spokesperson Fred Enaga says that they are yet to establish the motive of the shooting. He says that a team of detectives has been dispatched to the crime scene team for further investigations.

But Jackson Ssenabulya, who operates a garage opposite the minister’s home says after shooting the minister, Sabiiti emerged out of the gate saying that he is tired of living a life of misery because he was not being paid.

“He came out shooting bullets in the air shouting that he is demanding his salary of four months, yet his wife is soon giving birth,” Ssenabulya said. 

UPDF deputy spokesperson Lt Col Akiiki Deo however denied reports that the bodyguard complained of nonpayment of salary. He said that all the soldiers are paid on time. 

“By the 27th all our soldiers had been paid,” Akiiki said.

According to Akiiki, Sabiti had been assigned to guard the minister about a month ago. He added other security guards who were assigned to the minister and were at home at the time of the shooting are helping with investigations.

While in the military, Engola was the commander of the UPDF 501 brigade at Opit in Gulu district. He was then promoted to the rank of colonel and retired from the military in 2007.

During his political career, he served as Oyam district LC V chairperson on the ruling NRM party ticket for two terms.  In 2016, he was elected Oyam North MP and re-elected in 2021. He also served as state minister of Defence from 2016 until 2021.