"I have not been paid for a long time yet my wife is pregnant," said the soldier before taking his own life.
The Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col. Rtd Charles Okello Engola has been confirmed shot dead in kyanja by a UPDF soldier who happens to be his own body guard.
The guard later shot himself dead. According to eyewitnesses, the UPDF soldier (bodyguard) who shot Charles Okello Engola, was not hostile to civilians as he made his way from the Minister's home in Kyanja to a nearby salon, where he ended his own life. They say that he only asked them to get out of his way.
According to the eye witness, before killing himself, the bodyguard said he had not been paid for a long time yet he has a pregnant woman and his children were not given termly reports for non payment of school fees.
Engola, 65, 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.
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.
More stories still developing.
