Kilak North County MP Anthony Akol could face the Parliamentary committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline for reportedly punching fellow legislator Odonga Otto (Aruu South) in the head.
The gigantic MP is said to have lost his cool in the parliament foyer during Thursday plenary after he accused the motor-mouthed Odonga Otto of decampaigning him while the latter was in his constituency of Amuru last week.
It is said that Akol punched Otto in the head with the blow landing on the victim’s right eye leaving him reeling on the ground. Otto was only rescued by Parliament police officers and Sergeant-At-Arms who picked him up and immediately took him to Nakasero Hospital for medical attention.
By Thursday evening, Otto released an audio saying he is out of danger and that he will not only record a statement with police, but also raise the matter on the floor of parliament so that Akol faces the disciplinary committee.
The genesis of Akol-Otto fistfight arises from the allegations that Akol in connivance with Amuru LCV chairperson sold land to Madhvani sugar factory and pocketed over Shs300m against the will of Acholi Parliamentary Forum.
“Last week I was in Amuru district and I told the people there that our position as Acholi Parliamentary group is that no one should sell land to investors; the land should only be leased. However, Hon Akol together with LCV chairperson went, sold public land and picked over Shs300m and this is an issue I raised before his voters,” Otto said, adding that it is on that ground that Akol on Thursday requested to meet him.
“So when we sat in the lobby, I told Akol that he sold public land and took Shs300m and instead he lost his temper and punched me. I would like to remind government and other investors that there is no free land in Acholi. We shall only give short leases to the investors,” Otto said.
He added, “I am out of danger, I did not fight back. Akol is half the size of an elephant. These are people who eat game meat near the park, I wouldn’t fight back. It is even uncivilized to fight in Parliament.”
In his defence, Akol insists that he did not punch, but only slapped Otto after he continuously abused and even kicked him.
“I had nothing else but to return a slap a defence. I am heavyweight and if I had boxed him, he would be down. When he kicked my left knee, I had to just defend myself,” Akol said.
Late last year, Security minister Gen Elly Tumwine was sent to the disciplinary committee for alleging threatening Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal. During the age limit debate in 2017, opposition MPs were engaged in fistfights with security officers in the chambers who were trying to restore order in the House.
In September 2017, Ayivu County MP Benard Atiku was involved in a fistfight with Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga (RIP) in parliament after the latter accused the former of hiring youth to attack him during a football match between Onduparaka and Maroons FC in Luzira.
The general behavior of Members of Parliament and decorum is guided by the Code of Conduct of Members prescribed in Appendix F of the Rules of Procedure. The Parliamentary committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline is charged with responsibility to inquire into any complaint of contempt of Parliament or breach of privilege or any matter of privilege which may be referred to it and to recommend to the House such action as the Committee may consider appropriate.
