The Commander in Chief (CIC ) of UPDF Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni condemns the tendency of paying soldiers to do their work.
He reasons that payment ‘kills’ the spirit of patriotism. He believes joining the army should be a dedication driven by selfness to serve a country not to accumulate wealth.
It must be noted that recently the army received an increment in salary with the highest ranking soldier earning shs 15 million and lowest at shs 1 million.
Museveni made the revelation while eulogizing Col (rtd) Charles Engola Okello who was shot and killed by his bodyguard Pte Wilson Sabiiti at his residence in Kyanja, Kampala.
Reports from the residents indicated that Sabiiti who also shot himself dead after committing the crime, complained of salary as he shot in air before reaching the nearest salon where to took his life.
Museveni revealed that he was not only sad but “angry” to see a bodyguard killing a cadre he was assigned to protect.
The President said Sabiiti, whether he had financial stress or not was out of order because Minister Engola doesn’t pay his salary.
“It is the UPDF that pays salary not the minister,” he said.
He reminded the army establishment that soldiers while out of station should only be given enough food not salary.
“That is why in bush we made sure that those at the frontline received and had enough food so that they wouldn’t dose off,” he said.
Mourners, government officials and family gathered at Kololo Independence grounds to pay last respect to Engola during a State funeral service.
He will be buried on Friday at his native home in Oyam District Lango, Northern Uganda.
Museveni said he had constituted a team of experienced intelligence officers headed by Brig Abdul Rugumayo to establish what could have propelled Sabiiti to shoot and kill his boss.
