By Kajjubi Fred
In an interview at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Kilak North MP Anthony Akol finally addressed the physical altercation that took place in Parliament with Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake. Akol expressed regret over the incident but placed the blame squarely on Zaake, claiming that he was attacked while attempting to reclaim his seat.
Akol denied any responsibility for Zaake’s hospitalization, suggesting that others took advantage of the ensuing chaos to inflict harm on the Mityana MP. He also revealed that he had received threatening messages in the aftermath of the brawl and lamented the racial undertones that had surfaced in the media coverage of the incident.
Despite the controversy, some have praised Akol for standing up to Zaake, who has been accused by some of misbehavior in the past. However, when asked about visiting Zaake in the hospital, Akol declined and refuted claims that he had been paid to assault his fellow MP. He pointed to his opposition to the proposed abolition of the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) as evidence of his integrity.
Looking ahead, Akol has announced plans to table a motion in Parliament aimed at designating specific seats for MPs in order to prevent such conflicts in the future.
Meanwhile, Zaake’s legal team, led by prominent lawyer George Musisi, has vowed to take legal action against Akol, promising to file a case in court over the assault.
