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Media: Ugandan minister shot and killed by bodyguard

Published:Tuesday | May 2, 2023 | 4:17 PM
The body of a bodyguard is put into an ambulance by Ugandan medical staff in Kyanja village, Kampala, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to the army and local media. The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then turned the gun on himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others. (AP Photo/Ajar Nalwadda)

A bodyguard shot and killed a government minister in Uganda early Tuesday in an apparent private dispute, according to the army and local media.

The attacker, who has not been publicly identified, then turned the gun on himself, according to state broadcaster UBC and others.

The victim, Charles Engola, served in the government of President Yoweri Museveni as the junior minister in charge of labour.

He was a retired army colonel.

Army spokesman Brigade Felix Kulayigye said in a short statement that an “unfortunate incident” led to the killing of Engola.

“We shall inform the public of the details as we jointly investigate the matter,” Kulayigye said on Twitter.

The shooting took place inside Engola's home in a suburb of the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

Police detectives are now at the scene.

The motive was not immediately clear, but the local press said there had been an apparent dispute over the guard's wages.

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