President Museveni Calls For A Return To The NRA Doctrine

The President of Uganda and Commander in Chief of the UPDF H.E Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today urged all peace-loving Ugandans to retract the NRA doctrine that finally ushered in peace and social-economic transformation.

President Museveni made the above remark during the state funeral service in honor of the late Minister of State for Labor, Employment and Industrial Relations Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola ‘Macodwogo’ at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.

President Museveni explained that the NRA doctrine encouraged the masses to follow the correct ideology that called for service, other than pay to liberate the country.

He wondered where a developing country like Uganda would get the meagre resources to satisfy everyone at ago, noting that rewards would eventually be realised but in a segmented and gradual manner since the country is currently peaceful.

He said: “Go back to the NRA doctrine and don’t put pressure on government to increase allowances or pay. If you want money the hard way, you become a mercenary, ” he elaborated.

He urged mourners not to reduce the cause of death of the late Minister to low pay in the army, adding that only the final death report will direct authorities on the cause of action.

Visibly bitter, the President expressed his disappointment about the work of the Politicians and Civil servants involved in bribes or corruption, warning them that very soon he will crack his whip; beginning with Northern Uganda and later the Greater Masaka sub-region. “We must examine and get rid of our weaknesses to avoid death,” President Museveni emphasized.

He further implored the army to settle its own scores, saying that the army will have to sort out its own reversible problems using the available channels of conflict management.

The President also urged soldiers to exploit the services offered by Wazalendo, and the available health and education centers in the barracks to better their quality of life.

He was, however, saddened and annoyed to know that such a cadre (RIP Col Engola) died in the hands of one of his own, Pte Sabiti Wilson.

To the deceased’s family, the President urged them to keep the legacy of their father.

The Chief Mourner and Bishop of Lango Diocese Rt. Reverend Alfred Olwa who represented the Arch Bishop of the Church of Uganda Rt Reverend Dr. Steven Kazimba Mugalu, reminded mourners to work harder and stop waiting for free things, adding that knowledge is power so if knowledge is power then lack of knowledge is dangerous.

He praised the deceased as a hardworking man in great northern Lango who brought fruit farming, among others.

He announced a condolence fee of UGX 17 million from the Church of Uganda.

Also at the funeral, the widow Joyce Engola asked mourners to glorify forgiveness while the son Sam Engola Junior eulogized his late father as a good father, a warrior and an enterprising daddy.

The late Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Macodwogo Engola was born on 12th October 1958 in Oyam, Oyam district.

He met his death after being shot by his bodyguard Pte Sabiti Wilson at his home in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, on 2 May 2023.

The late was nicknamed ‘Mac’ alias fire and ‘odwogo’ alias back; to mean the fire is back ‘Macodwogo’ since during the LRA war in Northern Uganda people feared to ignite a fire in fear of being sighted by LRA rebels, who would vehemently attack them.

He was also the 501 Brigade Commander that trounced LRA rebels and thus brought fire back to residents in the Northern part of Uganda.

Today’s State Funeral service was also attended by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon Janet Kataha Museveni, Minister of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda (Emeritus),     Third Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Rukia Nakadama, NRM Secretary General Hon Richard Todwong, Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi, Chief of Defence Forces Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, MPs, Permanent Secretaries, Security Chiefs, and religious leaders, among others.