By Davis Buyondo
Kampala- Uganda
The incident that occurred on Tuesday morning at the residence of Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola, the State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, has sent shockwaves throughout Uganda’s political circles.
The tragic event involved Engola’s bodyguard, Pte. Wilson Sabiiti, who opened fire on the minister and his ADC (aide-de-camp) Ronald Otim.
The minister died on the spot while Otim also sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Mulago Hospital in critical condition.
Sabiiti later fled the scene and subsequently took his own life at a nearby barbershop. This incident has caused grave concern among VIPs and other high-profile individuals in the country, who fear for their own safety and security.
They are worried that they too could become targets of violent attacks, whether by their security personnel, disgruntled employees, political opponents, or other elements seeking to disrupt the country’s stability.
This concern is further compounded by the fact that Uganda has a history of political violence, with high-profile assassinations and targeted attacks occurring in the past.
Engola’s shooting serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those in positions of power and influence, and the need for greater vigilance and security measures to protect them.
Despite the testimony of eyewitnesses, the motive for the attack remains unclear. But according to reports, Pte. Sabiiti had expressed frustration over his salary issues, which authorities had allegedly ignored.
Some sources have even claimed that Sabiiti had mentioned being owed approximately Ugx4 million in salary arrears.
Wake up Call
Security analysts, legislators, and political personalities, say the gruesome incident should be a wake-up call to the government and security sector to address the issue of salary arrears and ensure that their employees are paid on time and in full.
They have called for the retraining of security personnel who are responsible for guarding high-profile and government officials in Uganda.
Deputy Speaker- Thomas Tayebwa, says there is a need for closer scrutiny of security personnel’s background and mental health status before they are recruited for such roles.
Ultimately, he adds, the safety of high-profile and government officials in Uganda depends on the quality of the security personnel tasked with their protection, and there is a need to ensure that they are adequately trained and equipped for their duties.
Eria Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor, the tragic shooting, has further highlighted the need for security personnel to be well-trained, not only in the use of firearms but also in dealing with stress and mental health issues that could impact their performance.
Renowned security analyst -Fred Egesa, explains that it is essential that security personnel are equipped with the necessary skills to handle the challenges that come with the job, such as handling confrontational situations and managing their emotions.
“Foremost, the incident shows that salary arrears can have serious consequences, including the loss of life,” says Egesa.
According to him, the tragic event should serve as a reminder that unpaid wages can cause frustration and desperation among workers, which can lead to dangerous and potentially deadly outcomes.
Since the security sector is critical to the stability and safety of Uganda, Egesa argues that these men and women in Uniforms and military fatigues put their lives on the line every day to protect the country and its citizens and they deserve to be treated or paid fairly for their services, to avoid resorting to desperate means to settle the such issues.
Chris Matsiko, another Security Analyst, explains that failure to pay salaries on time can lead to corruption and other unethical practices.
When employees are not paid what they are owed, he claims, they may resort to accepting bribes or engaging in other illegal activities to make up for their financial losses.
“This can compromise the integrity of the security sector and weaken the trust between the public and the security forces,” he noted.
Therefore, he says, the Ugandan government and security sector leaders must take steps to ensure that their employees are paid on time and in full.
“This will not only prevent similar incidents (Engola’s shooting) in the future but also improve the overall effectiveness and professionalism of the security sector in Uganda,” he adds.
UPDF
According to Deo Akiiki, the Deputy Spokesperson for Uganda’s Ministry of Defense & Veterans Affairs, it is regrettable that Sabiiti took his own life.
It has left the issue unresolved and barred us from understanding the underlying motive, which could have been valuable in addressing similar issues in the future.
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