MP Akol Unleashes Fury: Childish MP Zaake Gets Taste Of Own Medicine

The Ugandan Parliament was abuzz with chaos on November 6^th, 2024 as a heated debate turned physical, resulting in a fistfight between Kirak North MP Anthony Akol (FDC), and Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake (NUP).

Speaking to the press on Friday, 2 days after rapid punches, Akol claimed he was provoked into the altercation by Zaake, who allegedly sought to push him off his chair, yet in Akol’s words, the victim of his wrath, knew, he could not win the fight he had started over a seat.

“I don’t quarrel with people, but when attacked, I respond. Don’t push me [because] it is like challenging an elephant,” Akol said in a stern warning to Zaake to avoid further conflicts he “cannot win.”

Confrontation

As the circulating video especially on social media shows, the 33-year-old MP Zaake seemed possessed by strange ghosts as he threw punches with a gloomy face.

“Honourable Zaake was throwing punches in the air as if he intended to attack anyone in his way,” Akol said too.

Akol added, “This is not the first time he has acted like this, and it may be time for a mental medical check-up to ensure his well-being.”

It should be recalled that it was another episode of Zaake’s weird run-in; in 2017, he started a fight during a contentious debate on the removal of the presidential age limit and was subsequently “boxed down” by Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala.

Executing Kivumbi’s Assignment

Muwanga Kivumbi, the chairperson of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus Chairman had aligned Zaake to lead a committee to physically attack the Speaker, meaning, he was executing a well-orchestrated plan to appease his bosses.

Indeed, Zaake had rehearsed his actions, and he entered the parliamentary chambers, declaring to journalists that he was not there to speak, but to physically fight the takeover of coffee. With ultimate fists waving in the air, Zaake charged at Akol, who swiftly responded with a flurry of punches.

However, instead of intervening to reinforce him, Muwanga Kivumbi just burst into laughter as Akol was thumping Zaake.

Otto Weighs In

The former Aruu County MP Odonga Otto, who had previously been on the receiving end of Akol’s wrath in 2020, chimed in, advising Zaake to reassess his approach to politics.

“Free advice; it’s not wise for a dog to bark at an elephant,” Otto quipped on X (formerly Twitter).

Otto expressed concerns over the “immature” behavior in Ugandan politics and urged Zaake to adopt a more mature stance.

“It is about time Zaake grows up and changes his kind of politics,” Otto stated, “we were all there. It cannot be the same person being struck by lightning 10 times in a day. Next time you begin a fight, consider starting it near Mityana cemetery-advisably, not with Akol Anthony.”

The Speaker’s decision to suspend Akol alongside other MPs for three plenary sittings on the other hand sparked controversy, with Akol arguing that he was the one attacked and acted in self-defense.

“Why was I suspended when I was the one attacked? This sends a dangerous signal, it tells people they can attack you and face no consequences if you defend yourself,” Akol said.