Nakifuma Member of Parliament Kafeero Ssekitoleko has threatened to drag Kilak North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol if he [Akol] does not withdraw statements of alleged bribery against him [Ssekitoleko].
In a letter dated Sept 13 and delivered to the office of the Speaker of parliament today [September 14], Ssekitoleko through his lawyers Ambrose Tebyasa of Ambrose Tebyasa & Co advocated accuse Akol of making ‘‘defamatory, concocted and malicious statements’’ against their client.
MP Ssekitoleke has shot in the national limelight after his proposed private members’ bill before parliament to increase the retirement age of judges by five years. At president civil servants are expected to retire at age 60. Ssekitoleko wants this extended. Critics say Ssekitoleko’s bill is aimed at paving way for Museveni to stand again in 2021. Museveni is 72. If the constitution remains unchanged, he will be ineligible to stand in 2021.
Kilak North MP Anthony Akol recently alleged that Ssekitoleko tried to bribe him and other legislators while in Jinja with one million shilling and sacks of sugar purportedly so the legislators could support the bill before parliament.
Ssekitoleko denies the bribery allegationsl. He has now threatened to take the Kilak North MP to court.
‘‘It is within your knowledge that on various dates and in various places between 23rdAugust 2016 to date including NBS television on the morning breeze program of 2nd September 2016 and on the 8th day of September 2016 on frontline program you concocted and made false, malicious and defamatory statements against our client claiming that our client had bribed members of parliament including yourself with bags of sugar and Ushs 1000000/= (one million shillings only) in an attempt to illegally obtain and win support for his private member`s bill to extend retirement age for judges through parliament and that the same was done on 23rd august 2016 at Jinja and Mayuge.’’
The lawyers state that the statements has ”damaged reputation of their client in public domain and has depicted him as crafty, reckless irresponsible and careless person who believes and survives in bribery of fellow members of parliament in order to win their support.”
Ssekitoleko’s lawyers added that their client has been subjected to public ridicule. They have asked Akol to issue an apology within four days or face court action.
