Kilak North Member of Parliament, Anthony Akol, has attended his first NRM Parliamentary Caucus at State House Entebbe, just days after crossing from the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Akol's decision to join the NRM was reportedly influenced by a phone call from President Yoweri Museveni, following the election of Anita Among as Speaker of Parliament after the death of Jacob Oulanyah.
"I was invited to the NRM parliamentary Caucus as a special guest by the Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua," Akol said. "My decision to cross to the NRM was after a phone call to me by President Museveni."
Akol also revealed that the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah had advised him to cross to the ruling party if he wanted to offer better services to his constituents. "The former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, before passing on, had asked me to cross to the ruling party if I was to offer better services to the people I represent," Akol explained.
When asked if he was promised a ministerial position, Akol responded, "Once given, I will serve the country in that capacity."
This development marks a significant shift in Uganda's political landscape, particularly given Akol's history of being involved in parliamentary scuffles, including a notable incident with Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake.