EULOGY: The Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among has condemned the act of shooting Ugandans by armed persons describing it as barbaric and inhumane.
Among made these remarks while chairing the plenary session on Tuesday, 9 May 2023 to pay tribute to the former State Minister for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, Hon. Charles Engola who was gunned down on Tuesday, 2 May 2023 by his bodyguard Wilson Sabiiti who in turn shot himself.
Shortly after the incident, a vlogger, Ibrahim Tusubira aka Isma Olaxess aka Jajja Ichuli was shot near his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, a few days after he celebrated the death of Hon. Charles Engola.
Speaker Anita Among condemned gunmen and killers for taking the lives of Ugandans.
“We have heard unfortunate incidences in this country where gunmen have murdered people in cold blood with the latest being one of the bloggers, Ibrahim also known as Jaja Iculi who was murdered in cold blood. As the leader of the House, we strongly condemn these kinds of barbaric killings,” she said.
Among described the killings an acts of cowardice.
She called on Ugandans not to take the law into their hands, saying that as human beings, everyone has a time to be born and a time to die.
Among added that although people may differ, there is a need to find better solutions instead of violence.
“We may differ in terms of religion, politics, and whichever, but I don’t think that is the best thing to do. No one has the right to take one’s life under any circumstances. It’s God that creates and God that takes, there is only an ultimate end that is a time to be born and time to die,” he said.
Among asked Ugandans to live in harmony despite having disagreements. She said enemies do not need to die in cold blood.
Among sent her condolence to the family of the deceased blogger, but also condemned it as inhumane, uncultured, and very immoral to celebrate the death of anyone.
“I want to express the displeasure with the unfortunate practice in this country where people celebrate the misfortune of those they do not agree with, It is inhuman, it is also uncultured and very immoral to celebrate the death of anyone because you hold divergent views. Beyond our different political and religious affiliations we are humans.” she said
The Prime Minister, Hon. Robinah Nabbanja moved a motion for Parliament to pay tribute to the late Hon. Okello Charles Engola.
The Prime Minister eulogised the late as a war hero who played a fundamental role in the pacification of Northern Uganda against the LRA insurgency and acquired the name, “Macodwogo” meaning, “fire has returned”. Nabbanja also described him as someone who served his country as a humble servant, fearless warrior and with utmost honesty.
Hon. Lt Gen James Mugira the UPDF representative condemned the insensitive, merciless, provocative and silly jokes on social media celebrating and making fun of the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of the Late Col. Okello Charles Engola.
Lt Gen. Mugira has noted that the assassination of Minister Engola should not be reduced to the issue of low salary and allowances.
“This is indiscipline, period! Yes, there might be issues to be addressed but let us not sow seeds of anarchy, hatred, fear and animosity where even us, Members of Parliament will fear going back to our homes because we fair our maids, askaris and chefs.” – Lt Gen. Mugira
The Late Minister Charles Engola will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Oyam District on Saturday May 13th 2023.
Credit: Parliament of Uganda
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