The Aruu County Member of
Parliament, Odonga Otto was rushed to Nakasero hospital this afternoon after
allegedly being punched by his Kilak North counterpart, Anthony Akol.
The two legislators exchanged blows at parliament over claims that Otto was
telling Akol’s voters to eject him from the house for selling their land in
Amuru to government.
The two legislators charged at each other as Akol was escorting a group of his
electorate that had just visited him at parliament.
Eye witnesses say Akol confronted Otto around the pigeonhole area and asked him
why he was decampaigning him. Akol reportedly warned Otto that if he kept
on accusing him, he would act badly.
It is alleged that Otto didn’t deny the allegations insisting that indeed Akol
sold the land, prompting Akol to punch him. The Gulu Municipality MP, Lyandro
Komakech quickly intervened to stop Akol.
It is here that Otto was rushed by Parliamentary Ambulance to Nakasero
Hospital.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South MP who was at the scene during the fight, says
he doesn’t know what exactly started the fight but said Otto was out of danger.
Okin PP Ojara, the Acholi Parliamentary Group Chairperson, says it is very
unfortunate for the MPs to have clashed physically.
He says they will sit down and try to resolve the matter between the two
legislators and ensure that such an incident never happens again.
By the time of publishing this story, Olanya who was with Otto at the Hospital,
said they would be discharged soon.
Attempts to speak to Akol were futile as he was attending plenary and promised
to get back to our reporter later.
This isn’t the first time that MPs are fighting in parliament. In 2017, the
Ayivu County MP, Bernard Atiku fought with his former Arua Municipality
counterpart, the late Ibrahim Abiriga over insults.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
