'Wife' drags MP Akena to FIDA

 

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has intervened in a bitter wrangle between Lira Municipality MP, Jimmy Akena and a woman who claims she is his first wife whom he has neglected.

 

Roselyn Kabonesa (right), 38, says Akena has subjected her to a lot of abuse and suffering that she is virtually homeless and at times is accommodated by friends.

 

Kabonesa, who was born to a Munyankole father and Acholi mother, says her marriage to Akena was arranged by her uncle, S.B. Katiti, one of the UPC stalwarts and former minister in Obote’s regime and Obote himself. Katiti and Obote are both dead now.

 

She says the marriage was meant to be a ritualistic arrangement. When she stormed the New Vision offices last week, Kabonesa said in February 2008, Akena took her to his mother’s home in Kololo where they lived for some time. When contacted for comment, Akena admitted he knew Kabonesa but said she was a mad woman.

 

“Why isn’t she in Butabika? What are you doing with her at the New Vision? And if you write the story, run it at your own risk,” Akena said.

 

FIDA wrote to Akena on April 16, 2012, inviting him to mediation between the two, but he did not turn up for the meeting scheduled for April 17, 2012.

 

The letter read in part: “We act for and on behalf of Ms. Kabonesa Roselyn hereinafter referred to as our client who has informed us as follows;

 

1. That you are married to our client

 

2. That our client has undergone physical and psychological violence caused by you that has caused trauma and inconvenience to our client’s health

 

3. That due to the above, our client has been evicted out of her rented house on April 12, 2012 as she is homeless.

 

On the above premise therefore, you are hereby invited to come for mediation at FIDA-U offices, Plot 11 Kanjokya Street, Kamwokya on the 17, 2012 at 10:00am to discuss the above issues and reach a resolution. Please endeavour to attend in person and keep time!”

 

However, Akena never turned up, prompting FIDA to write him another letter on April 17, 2012 and warned that they would take further steps if he declined to turn up again on April 19 at 2:00pm.

 

The second letter stated in part: “This has immediate reference to the letter dated April 16, 2012 inviting you to our offices for a meeting on the April 17, 2012 at 10:00am, in regard to the domestic violence and blatant abuse of our client’s rights.

 

Due to your failure or refusal to attend, the said meeting has been re-scheduled to the April 19, 2012 at 2:00pm.

 

Failure to attend on your part will leave us no option but to seek legal redress in courts of law. Stand warned.”

 

Sources at FIDA said Akena went to their office and accused Kabonesa of being an imposter.

 

The sources said that he told the lawyers that he took Kabonesa to his mother’s home because she was stranded and not because they were married. He said she was accommodated in the boys quarters for some time.

 

Kabonesa, however, insists she stayed with the family in the main house. According to the sources, another meeting will be arranged next week.