Col. (rtd) Charles Okello Engola was killed by Private Wilson Sabiiti of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), and his body has been laid to rest.
After three weeks of waiting, Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) on Tuesday at 5:00 AM delivered Private Wilson Sabiiti’s body to the family for burial.
A three-gun salute was fired at the burial ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in Mubali hamlet, Kijura Town Council, Kabarole District.
Col. (Rtd) Engola, the state’s minister of labour, was fatally shot by Pte. Sabiiti on May 2 before he committed suicide.
While Sabiiti’s remains were kept by the UPDF until Tuesday, Col. Engola’s funeral took place on May 13. After his passing, the family has been on edge because UPDF has never communicated with them.
Sabiiti’s body was delivered by the UPDF team from Bombo Military Barracks under the direction of Maj Michael Tuliraba following an impromptu phone call telling the family to be ready for burial.
In a recent interview, the mother of the dead, Ms Uwezeyi Keduresi, revealed that she had only been informed of her son’s death via phone on the day he passed away by an unidentified UPDF officer. She claimed that waking up each morning to the sight of her son’s empty grave in the cemetery was traumatising for her.
According to a close relative, UPDF provided the casket, posho, and beans in addition to unspecified cash support.
John Mwesigye, the area LC1 chairman, said: “A large number of Ugandans make between Sh100,000 and Sh200,000 a month, which is a pitiful amount. Also, the working environment is poor, and I believe that is why some people now kill one another.”
“The MP earns Shs30 million, the LC3 chairman earns Shs350,000 and I wonder which country is this. President Museveni should listen to citizens’ concerns, we are not happy people. Ugandans are hungry and angry,” Mr Joram Bitamanya, who spoke on behalf of Sabiiti friends, said. The video of him speaking was widely shared on social media.
Sabiiti was the second last born out of nine children of the late John Karimuda and Ms Uwezeyi Keduresi. He joined the army in 2013. He died at the age of 35 years.
