Uganda Minister Shot Dead By Bodyguard Over ‘Unpaid Salary’

Charles Engola, Uganda’s state minister for labour, employment and industrial relations, was shot dead by his bodyguard.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, said the minister was shot dead at about 8 am local time on Tuesday at his home in Kampala, the country’s capital.

Enanga declared it a murder-suicide case.

He said “(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 shooter was identified as Wilson Sabiiti, an ex-soldier.

According to a witness, 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 said.

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

Enanga said, the motive of the murder had not yet been established and the investigation is currently in the early stages of review, with CID and forensic experts, already working.

The DIGP and a team of directors have visited the scene and extended heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, friends and relatives.