President Museveni Pays Tribute to Fallen Minister Charles Engola: 'He Was a Lion'

President Yoweri Museveni mourned the passing of Col. (Rtd) Charles Engola Mac-Odwogo Okello, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, who was shot to death by his bodyguard on Tuesday morning.

President Museveni said he first met the minister in 1986 when he was attached to Lubiri Barracks. Museveni, who described the fallen minister as "a lion", said: "Fellow Ugandans, Condolences on the death of Colonel (rtd) Charles Engola. Colonel (rtd) Charles Engola was a lion. I, first saw him in Lubiri barracks (before it was returned to the Kabaka), manning a 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun in 1986."

According to Museveni, Col. Engola got his nickname because of his brave acts. "Later, he became an infantry Commander in the Minakulu area. That is when he got his 'Machodwogo' Kikubyo (praise name). Mac in our Luo language means fire. Dwogo, means, 'Coming back' (Okudda, Okugaruka)," Museveni tweeted Wednesday evening. 

"The peasants who gave him that Praise name, meant that when he took command of the Army in the area, people were able to make fires again in order to cook, warm themselves (okwoota omuriro)," he went on. "Before Okello defeated the Kony terrorists in the area, people were in hiding, fearing to make fire so that the terrorists do not see the fire and come for them."

President Museveni said he was happy to appoint him minister given his political and civil service history. He said he was looking forward to the investigations. "On account of that popularity, he was elected LC-5 Chairman and, eventually, Member of Parliament. I was very happy to appoint him a Minister of State," he said.

"His killing by this bodyguard was a big crime to Patriotism in Uganda. We would have hunted him to exact justice on him. Unfortunately, he took his own life; hence, we did not have that opportunity," he added.  "There is an ongoing investigation. I await the conclusion of that investigation before I comment on the security of public officials & the mistakes made and how we will rectify them."