KAMPALA – Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has directed Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige to expunge from the record of Parliament a statement that had been made by embattled Aruu County MP, Odonga Otto saying it violated rules of Parliament.
The Speaker issued the directive during Wednesday’s plenary sitting after Otto took to the floor lamenting of how he was assaulted by fellow MP, Anthony Akol following a verbal and physical exchange between the two within the premises of Parliament.
In his statement, Otto said that Akol had approached him twice saying he had an issue to sort out with Otto and on a fateful day, Akol questioned why Odonga was decampaigning him in the constituency that he had received Shs300M from Madhivani for land in Kilak yet an earlier understanding had mandated only locals to sell the land.
Otto said, “He approached me and said we have to solve this issue the local way. He then descended on me and there is no way I could have kicked him.”
Otto said he only picked a chair in self-defence after Akol threatened to throw the chair at him and after the fiasco, he was rushed to Nakasero hospital where doctor said he sustained light injuries.
“I have suffered ridicule as you can see from the laughter from MPs and pain. I seek your indulgence that this matter is taken to the Committee of Rules and Discipline. My people are very angry and we don’t want to take this matter in our hands, said Otto.
However, Betty Among, Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority questioned the contents of Otto’s statement pointing out that the Legislator had accused of taking over the land in Amuru fraudulently, accusations that aren’t accepted in personal statement.
Following that revelation, Speaker ruled to throw out the statement saying, “This doesn’t qualify under Rule 54. Expunge it from the record.”
