By The Insight Post Uganda
Kampala-Uganda
The bodyguard who shot dead Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola, the State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, on Tuesday, had no prior record of indiscipline, according to Defense and Army Spokesperson – Brig. Felix Kulayigye.
The shooting by Pte. Wilson Sabiiti, who was part of the minister’s security detail, took place Tuesday morning at the ministry’s home in Kyanja.
There are unconfirmed reports that an altercation occurred between Minister Engola and Sabiiti who was a member of the minister’s security detail. The details of the incident remain unclear.
Initially, reports had suggested that the bodyguard had a history of indiscipline and aggressive behaviour.
However, further investigation by authorities has revealed that these allegations were completely baseless as Sabiiti participated in counselling and psycho-social training the previous month.
Other security sources say that Sabiiti had been employed by the Army for several years and had always maintained a clean disciplinary record.
“He was a well-behaved but hot-tempered fellow. However, he previously received several commendations for his service and had never been subject to any formal reprimands in the past several months.
The shooting incident has raised questions about the training and screening processes for security personnel in the government.
Some critics have called for a review of these processes to ensure that individuals with a history of aggression or indiscipline are not placed in positions of authority.
The tragic event also left the minister’s ADC (aide-de-camp) Ronald Otim hospitalised in critical condition after he was shot multiple times.
Sabiiti later fled the scene and subsequently took his own life at a nearby barbershop.
According to Kulayigye, even the assumption that Sabiiti had not been paid or facilitated by the minister was false. He explains that every army officer received their salary on 28 April.
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 has since served 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.
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