Alebtong district chairman demands blood compensation for slain minister, Okello Engola

3 May 2023, 7:26 pm

Slain minister of Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Col. Rtd. Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodowgo

Bye Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)

Alebtong district chairman David Kennedy Odongo has rallied Otikokin clan and Lango as a whole to demand for blood compensation for their slain son, who was state minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations Col. Rtd. Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodowgo who was shot dead by his body guard yesterday.

Odongo DK who doubles as chairperson of Lango district chairpersons and mayors’ forum also said Lango as tribe should not condone killing of their people with impunity and wants the clan to which Engola’s body guard, Sabiti Wilson belonged to pay blood compensation for Engola before his burial in line with Lango culture.

He also wants Sabiti’s clan to apologize to the people of Lango over the gruesome murder of their son.

Odongo DK said Okello Engola was instrumental in advocating for peace in Lango and at the time of his death, he was trying hard to fight cattle theft by suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers in Otuke and Alebtong districts.

Odongo on compensation

The speaker of Tekwaro Lango, Willy Omodo Omodo called for thorough investigation into the murder of Engola whom he said was strong pillar in Lango.

Omodo also challenged the Lango joint council to be convened on 12 May 2023 to pay last respects to Engola to demand for construction of a vocational school in his memory.

He further wants government to establish a military training school in Lango also in memory of Okello Engola, a dedicated army officer who fought several wars alongside Gen Salim Saleh.

The general secretary of Lango Parliamentary Group Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti also Kole south MP said Okello Engola was a fearless person who worked for the good of all.

Opio said Okello Engola also helped in the fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Rebels and cattle theft by suspected Karamojong cattle rustlers.

Opio Acuti on Engola

Oyam district chairman Walter Dilla Oyuku who is also the chairperson organizing committee for the burial program of Minister Okello Engola in Oyam described him as a fearless person who fought for peace and lobbied for several development in Oyam at the time that he was the district chairperson.

Dila on Engola

He said preparations for Engola’s sendoff is going on smoothly in coordination with Kampala team.

Okello Engola last appeared in public on Monday at the International Labour Day celebrations held in Namutumba district.

Okello Engola’s audio

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Kaguta Musevenei has ordered that Engola should be accorded official burail.

Minister of Presidency Milly Babalanda Babirye in a tweet yesterday, said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed that minister Okello Engola should be accorded official burial in recognition for his contribution towards the development of this country.

Babalanda said the burial program for Engola will be announced soon.

Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo 65, was a retired army officer and at the time of his death, he was serving as state minister for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations as well as Oyam north MP.

Okello Engola was born in 1958, in Iceme, Oyam district.

While in the military, Engola was the commander of the UPDF 501 Brigade, at Opit, in Gulu District and was instrumental in the fight against the Lord’s resistance army rebels.

He was then promoted to the rank of colonel and retired from the military in 2007.

In 2006, Okello Engola won election for Apac district LCV seat and moved to Oyam district in 2011 where he became the district chairman.

Okello Engola also served as state Minister for defense from 2016 to 2021.