Clan to slain minister Engola demands blood compensation

Clan to slain minister Engola demands blood compensation
R.I.P: Charles Okello Engola, the state minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations

Lira, Uganda | URN | The Otikokin clan, to which the slain Minister of State for Employment and Industrial Relations Col (rtd) Charles Okello Engola belonged, is demanding blood compensation.

Engola, who was also a deputy clan elder (Awitong), was shot dead at his home in Kyanja on Tuesday 2, May 2023 by his bodyguard, Private Wilson Sabiiti. Traditionally, when murders of this nature occur, the clan to which the perpetrator belongs is required to pay blood compensation as a way of reconciling the two factions.

This compensation usually involves seven cows, goats, and some money, depending on a number of other factors. Dr. Christopher Oleke, the Deputy Awitong of Otikokin, argued that Engola’s murderer took a key pillar of the clan, and added that emotions are too high, although the clan leaders are trying their best to calm the situation.

He then invited the leadership of Private Sabiiti’s clan to compensate their son to avoid more problems.

The blood compensation rite practiced by the Lango tribe is meant to rekindle the relationship between the clan of the minister and his bodyguard.

According to Dr. Oleke, the clan and people of Lango as a whole also want the government to make public all information pertaining to Private Wilson Sabiti, who ended the life of their son.

Read Also: ‘Broke’ bodyguard kills Uganda State Minister Charles Engola

David Kennedy Odongo, the District Chairperson Alebtong, who is also the Chairperson of the Lango Chairperson’s and Mayor’s Forum, shared the same idea. He argued that the late Okello Engola was instrumental in advocating for peace in Lango and his gruesome murder should not go unpunished, adding that Lango as a tribe should not tolerate the killings of their sons.

Meanwhile, Charles Osendro, the spokesperson of Otikokin Clan, wants the government to take action against people who are celebrating Engola’s death.

The late Charles Okello Engola is survived by a widow and three biological children.

The incident is likely to create shockwaves in a country where other high-profile officials have been killed in gun attacks over the years.

On Tuesday 1, June 2021 morning at about 9am, a former army chief General Edward Katumba Wamala in Uganda was wounded and his daughter killed when gunmen shot at their vehicle in Kampala.

Recent shootings

A number of high-profile people in the country have been gunned down. Majority of these died on spot apart from the Minister of Transport and Works, Gen Edward Wamala who survived.

Gen Edward Katumba Wamala (June 1, 2021): Gen Wamala was attacked by gunmen near Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb. The shooters opened fire on his vehicle, leaving his daughter Brenda Nantongo and driver dead. Gen Wamala and his bodyguard, Sgt Khalid Koboyoiti survived death.

Ibrahim Abiriga (June 8, 2018): The former Arua Municipality MP was shot dead alongside his brother Saidi Buga Kongo in Kawanda, Wakiso District.

Muhammad Kirumira (September 8, 2018): The former Buyende District Police Commander, ASP Muhammad Kirumira was killed alongside his friend Resty Nalinya at Bulenge Trading Centre, Wakiso District.

AIGP Felix Kaweesi (March 17, 2017): Former Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi was brutally assassinated alongside his driver Godfrey Wambewo and bodyguard Kenneth Erau at Kulambiro outside Kampala just as he was being driven to work.

Mohammed Kiggundu (November 26, 2016): One of the former commanders of the rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Sheikh Maj Mohammed Kiggundu was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen at Masanafu, a Kampala suburb.

Sheikh Ibrahim Hassan Kirya (June 30, 2015): The former spokesperson of the Kibuli Muslim faction was gunned down in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District.

Joan Kagezi (March 30, 2015): The senior state prosecutor was gunned down in Kiwatule near St Mbaaga Tuzinde Catholic Church, about 2.7 kms from Gen Katumba’s home in Bulabira, Najjera in Wakiso District.

 Sheikh Mustafa Bahiga (December 25, 2014): He was gunned down at Bwebajja Mosque on Entebbe Road.

Sheikh Muhammad Maganda (August 2012): Gunned down in Bugiri Town in August 2012.