Pte Wilson Sabiti, a Ugandan army soldier, shot and killed the Minister of State for the Ministry of Labour, Labor and Industrial Relations in Uganda, Charles Okello Engola.
Ugandan media reports that Pte Wilson has worked in Somalia for a year, according to Uganda Defense Forces (UPDF) officials.
The shooting took place at the minister’s house in Kyanja area, on the outskirts of Kampala city, and it is suspected to be related to a mental condition.
The minister’s assistant, Ronald Otim, was also injured in the shooting. The soldier later shot himself near the scene, according to the police.
Col Deo Akiiki, the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense said that Sabiiti from Mubali village in Kabarole district was deployed to Somalia between 2020 and 2021 as part of the African Union Special Mission.
Sabiti held the lowest rank in the military, but was selected by his superiors to take the mid-level officer course of the military staff.
After completing the course in February this year, he returned to the Guards Brigade based in Bombo, before being deployed to Kyanja to guard the minister who died last month. Akiiki acknowledged the need for more mental health examinations of soldiers to avoid similar incidents in the future.
“We have a department under the Directorate General of Health Services, which provides advice and guidance. But yes, we must do more to ensure the health of our soldiers who return from war zones, to avoid such regrettable actions. ,” he said.
Sabiti’s body is now at Bombo, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
