NRM Eulogizes Col Charles Engola.

By Earnest Kivumbi Benjamin

Updated at 1335 EAt on Friday 04th May 2023

KAMPALA- Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement -NRM party on Thursday eulogized Col (rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola. The State minister for Labour was on Tuesday shot and killed by his bodyguard an act that caused panic in government and private high-profile circles.

In an occasional Press Conference at the NRM headquarters, Hon Richard Todwong the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement hailed the deceased’s contribution in strengthening the party’s support and national Development. Todwong said the country has lost an irreplaceable figure.

Hon Richard Todwong the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement addressing the media on Friday. Photo by Earnest Kivumbi Benjamin

The Party Chairman and Head of State HE Yoweri Kaguta T Museveni also released a statement;

“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-air-craft gun in 1986.

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).

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). Before Okello defeating 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.”

On Tuesday body of the deceased will be brought at Parliament and Wednesday at Kololo Airstrip then on Thursday travel to Oyam district for a State Burial on Saturday.