Teso North MP Arthur Odera and his opponent Fred Papa disagreed over addressing mourners at a funeral and their argument nearly degenerated into a fistfight.
The funeral was in Teso North.
At the funeral of former Amagoro MP Oduya Oprong’s wife Florence Namalwa, Odera was asked to address mourners by master of ceremonies Charles Okanya.
Odera then invited others to speak, including former Bumula MP Bifwoli Wakoli, woman representative aspirant Susan Mangeni and Engineer Vincent Sidai’s representative Collins Ausi.
Papa shot up and questioned why the MP left him out of the programme. An argument ensued before Odera ordered his opponent to sit down.
Before he invited Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, Odera told his opponent not to complain that he has been left out of the programme.
When Ojaamong rose to speak, he condemned the argument and asked Papa to address mourners.
Papa hit back at his opponent for denying him an opportunity to speak.
“Whether I am allowed to talk or not I will floor Odera in 2017. He fears me because I speak the truth,” he said.
Ojaamong praised Odera and said they have come a long way together.
“I know he will not forsake me. If the battle becomes hard I am optimistic we will work together,” he said.
Ausi was shouted down when he told mourners to elect Sidai as governor next year. Residents then voiced their support for Ojaamong.
Mangeni urged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and not ride on divisive politics.
