Inside MP Akol’s demands tabled before Museveni to ditch FDC for NRM

Amuru (UG):- Kilak North Member of Parliament, Hon. Anthony Akol, has outlined specific conditions for his defection from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Central to his demands is the creation of Apaa District and the reclassification of the East Madi Wildlife Reserve to permit human settlement. These conditions, the MP says, are aimed at providing a permanent home for individuals currently residing on contested lands.

Hon. Akol’s move has ignited a fierce backlash from leaders in Adjumani District. Mr. Ben Anyama, the LC5 Chairperson of Adjumani, has denounced Akol’s demands as “outrageous” and “provocative,” emphasizing that Apaa is the rightful territory of the Adjumani people.

Mr Anyama asserts that the land was designated for conservation by the district council in 2002 and should not serve as a political bargaining tool.

The Apaa land dispute has a long and tumultuous history marked by violent clashes and deep-seated tensions between the Acholi and Madi communities.

In 2024, the conflict escalated dramatically, resulting in the destruction of over 400 homes and the displacement of thousands of residents. The land, situated at the border of Amuru and Adjumani districts, has been a contentious point, with both communities laying claim to it.

Efforts by the government to demarcate boundaries have often been met with resistance, further complicating the situation.

Responding to Akol’s demands, the Adjumani District Executive Committee convened on Monday, February 24, 2025, and resolved to request the immediate transfer of Col. Byaruhanga David, the UPDF 501 Brigade Commander, whom they accuse of conducting forceful evictions that align with Akol’s agenda. This decision underscores the heightened tensions and the potential for further unrest if Akol’s conditions are entertained.

Akol’s political maneuvers gained traction when he recently attended an NRM Parliamentary Caucus at State House Entebbe, signaling a possible shift ahead of the 2026 elections. While it’s unclear whether his defection is finalized, his presence at the caucus indicates serious deliberations are underway.

See video below for more info on Hon. Akol’s potential defection and the conditions he’s set forth

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