Pte Wilson Sabiiti, a UPDF soldier who ended his life on Tuesday morning shortly after murdering Col (rtd) Charles Engola Okello at his residence had a bitter exchange with the principal before he pulled the trigger.
The Minister had 5 bodyguards who include, Pte Wilson Sabiiti (dead), Ronald Otim the ADC (who was wounded), Senyonga, Jasper and a driver that remains unidentified.
A detailed account of investigation, this website landed on contends that in the morning of Tuesday, Sabiiti who had for long been complaining of mistreatment and delayed salary approached the Minister who was already in the Toyota Landcruiser awaiting one of the escorts to remove the cover draping the Uganda Flag in front of the SUV.
Information obtained further reveals, that Sabiiti told the Minister in a strong voice to either work on his facilitation or release him and he goes back to the commanding battalion in Bombo barracks.
To which the Minister rubbished him maintaining he should stay at his residence because he no longer wants on the motorcade.
Being on the convoy comes with some benefits including tips, good lunch, interacting with friends, etc. But when you stay at the home of your boss you only talk to the walls and your gun.
At the time of the bitter exchange, Sabiiti was unarmed.
“He now went into his room and picked the AK4 with around three magazines. He first fired around 15 bullets which shattered the front door of the co-driver,” investigations reveal.
In the process he injured the ADC, Otim. The driver jumped out of the SUV and climbed the wall fence to alert soldiers of the lead car.
This website has established that these soldiers have been staying at house the minister rented a few meters from his home.
And by the time they responded to the gunshots, Sabiiti had pulled a trigger firing a number of bullets at his boss who was seated at the back.
“He first shot his legs, then the Minister attempted to get out of the car and he finished him as he laid on the ground,” investigation further reveal.
The Minister was also armed with a pistol.
On Monday, being a public holiday- Labour Day- Engola whose ministry was in charge of the organization of the event in Namutumba District, the soldiers were meant to sign facilitation but it was not availed to them.
He had also suspended Sabiiti from his convoy saying the soldier is undisciplined.
Sabiiti’s grievance was he has spent four months without salary yet he has a pregnant wife and his children have been out of school over fees.
He further said that the minister should at least intervene and save the situation.
Sabiiti’s colleagues have been taken to relevant offices record statements of what transpired.
Earlier onlookers said while on a shooting spree, he shouted “salary salary salary.”
Sabiiti took his life in a nearest town center of Kyanja Ring Road in a saloon.
Government is yet to announce the burial program for the Minister who had been the Oyam North Member of Parliament and also Minister of Gender, served a junior Minister of Defence, Lira LCV chairman and also headed a battalion in Gulu before he was promoted to Colonel and retired in 2007.
He was very instrumental in the Operation Lightning Thunder which ended the LRA rebel operations in Northern Uganda.