(Kampala) – A fight broke out in Uganda’s Parliament on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, after Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake clashed with Kilak North MP Anthony Akol during a tense plenary session. The incident occurred amid a heated debate over the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which has stirred strong reactions across the House. Zaake had raised concerns about the safety of MPs, claiming that a person with a gun had entered the chambers. However, Speaker Anita Among clarified that the individual in question was her bodyguard and was subjected to a security check, with no weapon found.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Zaake, dissatisfied with the outcome of the security check, approached Akol’s seat, which Akol had briefly vacated. Zaake attempted to push Akol off the seat, leading to a violent confrontation. Akol stood up and punched Zaake repeatedly until he fell to the ground. MPs and security personnel quickly intervened, but the damage had been done. Zaake was soon seen being wheeled out of Parliament and taken to the hospital for treatment.
In the aftermath of the altercation, Speaker Among suspended 12 MPs, including Zaake and Akol, for their involvement in the scuffle. The suspended MPs were ordered to leave the chambers, and the sitting was temporarily adjourned. The Speaker invoked Rule 88(2), suspending the MPs from attending three consecutive parliamentary sittings. Other MPs, such as Wakayima Musoke, Aloysius Mukasa, and Shamim Malende, were also included in the suspension list.
The security situation around Parliament has also been a point of contention. Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda raised concerns about the heavy security presence in the parliamentary premises, suggesting that MPs and surrounding areas be thoroughly checked to ensure no firearms were brought into the chambers. The increased security was a response to the charged atmosphere ahead of the vote on the controversial coffee bill, which has divided opinion among MPs.
The Coffee Bill, which seeks to mainstream the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, has faced strong opposition from certain factions, including the opposition and the Buganda Caucus. These groups argue that the bill could undermine the independence of the UCDA. However, the government maintains that the bill is part of a larger effort to rationalize government agencies and reduce wasteful expenditure.
