Museveni: Board of Inquiry to Probe Engola Murder

The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbadi, has set up a board of inquiry to investigate the circumstances under which Labour Minister, Col. (Rtd.) Charles Engola, was killed by Pte. Sabiiti last week.

This was revealed by President Museveni on Wednesday while officiating at the memorial service at Kololo ceremonial grounds to honour Engola's life.

"We are still waiting for the report," said Museveni during the memorial service for Engola at Kololo ceremonial grounds on Wednesday afternoon.

"The CDF has constituted a board of inquiry headed by a very experienced intelligence officer – Brigadier Rugumayo," said Museveni.

Engola was assassinated by his bodyguard on May 2, 2023, at his home in Kyanja.

Rugumanyo is the deputy chief of military intelligence for the UPDF.

Reports indicated that Sabiiti always struggled to get food and was grappling with debts and a high dependency burden from his family members.

Updates: The official state funeral of the Late State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations and Oyam North MP, Col. (Rtd) Patrick Charles Engola Macodwogo is happening at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. #ChimpReportsNewsDetails: https://t.co/gpD2Zp5Gj4 pic.twitter.com/PpKqiS7tN4

— ChimpReports (@ChimpReports) May 10, 2023

Museveni said he was informed that the Guard Brigade at Bombo Military Barracks was sending food to the security personnel of high profile officials, including Sabiiti.

He said the food was always passed on to the UPDF guards through the ADCs of the principals.

Museveni seemed to suspect that the food was not reaching the intended beneficiaries.

The head of state said Engola's murder remained a huge stain on the reputation of the UPDF.

He told UPDF leaders at the burial, who included Mbadi, that for Engola "to be killed by one of your own, who is supposed to guard him, is a big embarrassment."

Museveni said he was angry as the precious life of a resourceful official like Engola was cut short by "someone from our (UPDF) system."

The president also cautioned against the culture of materialism.

Museveni said "the mentality of allowances is the wrong one. If you say bodyguards should get allowances all the time, what about those fighting in DRC?"

"Does it mean if a soldier goes on patrol, they should get an allowance?"

Museveni said when soldiers start mixing with civilians, they get caught up in the world of "mercenaries and parasites thinking about money."

He described Engola as a development-oriented patriot and a good soldier.