MP Akol Defends Punching Zaake, Asks for Mental Health Check

(Mityana) – Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Francis Zaake, has formally demanded that his colleague, Kilak North MP Anthony Akol, apologise to him on the floor of Parliament and compensate him for the physical assault that occurred during a debate on the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill. The incident took place on November 6, 2024, when a disagreement over a seat in the parliamentary chamber escalated into violence.

According to a letter from Zaake’s legal team, Zaake & Company Advocates, Akol physically assaulted Zaake, repeatedly punching him in the head and causing him to fall to the ground, sustaining injuries. The attack, which was witnessed by other MPs and captured on parliamentary footage, left Zaake requiring medical attention for both physical and emotional trauma.

Zaake’s lawyers have stated that the assault aggravated Zaake’s past experiences of torture, further contributing to his distress. The legal team has demanded that Akol apologise unequivocally on the floor of Parliament, make a monetary payment to compensate for the harm caused, and cover 10% of the payment towards legal fees. The lawyers have given Akol seven days to comply with these demands or face legal proceedings.

Zaake, who was discharged from Nsambya Hospital after receiving treatment, has claimed that Akol’s actions were influenced by the government, alleging that Akol was paid to assault him. However, Akol has denied the accusations, defending his actions as a response to Zaake’s confrontational behaviour. In an interview, Akol suggested that Zaake may need a mental health evaluation, describing him as provocative.

Akol, who has a history of physical confrontations in Parliament, previously assaulted Aruu County MP Odonga Otto in 2020. Critics have raised concerns about Akol’s temper, but he maintains that his actions were in self defense, arguing that Zaake had provoked him by pushing him and calling him derogatory names.

The altercation has led to disciplinary action from the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, who suspended both Akol and Zaake, along with ten other MPs, for misconduct. The suspended MPs will not be allowed to attend parliamentary sessions for three consecutive sittings. The incident has sparked debates about the conduct of MPs and their behaviour in Parliament.