KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister of State for Labour Rtd. Col Charles Engola has been shot dead this morning by his UPDF bodyguard in Kisasi, a Kampala Suburb.
The Minister who is also the Member of Parliament for Oyam North was shot and killed by the yet-to-be-identified soldier before he marred a nearby salon where he shot himself dead.
The motive of the killing was yet to be established by press time but eyewitnesses say the military guard accused the minister of mistreatment and meagre pay saying “he cannot be broke yet he works for the whole minister”.
“The guard said he hadn’t been paid Shs4m. He said he had a pregnant woman and his children were not going to school yet the minister’s kids were schooling,” an eyewitness said.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson ASP Luke Owoyesigyire in a brief tweet confirmed that police had cordoned off the crime scene and said a detailed statement would follow later.
“Yes, there is a shooting. A soldier has shot his boss,” Owoyesigire said before adding; “He actually shot himself too, we shall come out with a detailed statement in a few minutes.”
The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, also confirmed the minister’s death while presiding over the plenary session this morning.
“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,” Ms Among said.
Graphic photos from the crime scene shared widely on social media showed Minister Engola’s motionless body lying in a pool of blood at his home.
The Minister for Labour and Gender Betty Amongi is among the government officials who were spotted at the late Engola’s home in Kyanja by Tuesday morning shortly after the assassination reports.
Engola, 64, was also a retired colonel in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). He previously served as defence state minister in the cabinet, before he was transferred to the labour ministry.
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