Ugandan minister shot dead by bodyguard while heading to work

Uganda’s minister of state for labour, employment and industrial relations, Charles Engola, has been shot dead by one of his military bodyguard.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said the minister was shot dead at about 8am local time on Tuesday at his home in Kampala, as he was entering his official vehicle to go to work.

The shooting was done by one of the minister’s bodyguards who also fired several shots at close range,” Uganda Police Spokesman Fred Enanga said. “The shooter then fled the scene to the trading center at Kyanja Ring Road where he entered a salon and shot himself.”

“He (Engola) was shot at his residence in Kyanja by one of his bodyguards who allegedly fired several shots at close range. He fled from the scene up to the trading centre at Kyanja, Ring road where he entered a salon and also shot himself dead,” the police spokesperson said.

The shooter was identified as Wilson Sabiiti, an ex-soldier.

An eyewitness 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.

“The guard said he hadn’t been paid Ush4 million (about $1,000). He said he had a pregnant woman and his children were not going to school, yet the minister’s children were schooling,” the eyewitness was quoted to have said.

Police said investigations had commenced and expressed grief at the situation.

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“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.