Reported by Howard Kerry Mwesigwa
State Minister for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations, Colonel (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola was assassinated on Tuesday 2nd May at about 8 am in the morning in the Ugandan capital of Kampala by his own bodyguard, Private Wilson Sabiti. As per reports, the Minister was about to leave for work when Sabiti opened fire at close range at his residence in Kyanja, following which he fled the scene and shot himself dead in a nearby salon. Engola’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Ronald Otim, was also injured in the incident.
The police have initiated an investigation into the matter, and the reason for the murder remains unknown at this point. While some eyewitnesses reported that Sabiti was unhappy with the Minister as he had not been paid his dues of approximately 4 million Uganda shillings and financial difficulties in providing for his pregnant wife and children, others said that he was mentally unstable. However, the police have cautioned against making any speculative comments and have requested the public to wait for their official report.
The Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Anita Among, confirmed the tragic news while presiding over the plenary session, expressing her condolences and stating that it was “God’s plan.” The scene of the crime has been cordoned off, and the bodies of the Minister and the shooter are still at the site.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, and several government officials have already arrived at Engola’s residence to pay their respects. The government has issued a statement condemning the act of violence and urging the public to remain calm.
As the investigation continues, it is expected that more information will come to light regarding the motive and circumstances behind the murder. This incident raises raises several legal issues, including the responsibility of the state to protect its officials and the liability of employers for the actions of their employees, particularly in cases where there is a breach of duty of care. Additionally, the incident brings to the forefront the issue of gun control and access to firearms.
