Financial Stress: Bodyguard Shoots Uganda’s Minister for Labour Citing Salary Delay, Turns Gun on Himself

Uganda’s Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Charles Okello Engola was on Tuesday morning shot dead by his bodyguard who then turn at his home in Kampala.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesman Luke Owoyesigire, the minister was shot dead at his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, before the soldier turned gun on himself.

The soldier then turned the gun to himself inside a car

The fatal shooting was also confirmed by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, while presiding over the plenary session Tuesday morning.

According to an eye witness, the bodyguard claimed that he had not been paid Sh4million and that besides having a pregnant wife, his children were also out of school due to fees.

Further reports indicate that the Minister was shot several times and died on the spot. The body was transferred to the City Mortuary awaiting postmortem as police launch investigations.

In most cases, bodyguards have stood in the line of fire to protect their bosses.

On March 17, 2017 in Kulambiro, a Kampala suburb, for example, hitmen riding on motorcycles shot Assistant Inspector General of Police and spokesperson of the Force, Felix Kaweesi.

Corporal Kenneth Erau and the driver Constable Godfrey Wambewa were also killed in the attack.

There are also reported cases where bodyguards tasked with protecting the lives of the bosses have turned to be their killers.

In June 2018, for example, the Chief of Staff of Ethiopia’s Army General Seare Mekonen was shot dead at his home in Addis Ababa by his bodyguard. The bodyguard also shot dead another retired general.