Parliament witnessed intense discussions and disagreement as Mityana municipality legislator Francis Zaake faced a referral to the Rules, Discipline, and Privileges Committee. The referral was made on the grounds of alleged use of abusive language against fellow MP Juliet Kinyamatama.
There are suspicions that this dispute, even after the Speaker’s ruling, might be a strategic maneuver to prevent the official recording of the alleged arrest and kidnapping of opposition leaders and supporters.
MP Kinyamatama stated, “On the 9th of October, fellow member Francis Zaake visited my constituency and used offensive language against me. I cannot repeat those words here, and I request the parliament ICT team to play them.” Kinyamatama further highlighted that these statements were a direct attack on female parliamentarians, despite Zaake identifying as a human rights advocate, causing an uproar among members.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa expressed surprise at the utterances and referred the matter to the Rules, Discipline, and Privileges Committee, despite objections from the opposition. However, Tayebwa later subjected the matter to a vote.
Opposition legislators contended that the parliament should address the reason for their initial boycott of the house—the surrounding of the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kamwokya and the house arrest of the party leader, Robert Kyagulanyi. The aggrieved party expressed doubts that Zaake would appear before the Rules Committee for an inquiry.
MP Kinyamatama declared, “I want Zaake out of parliament. He cannot continue to insult and live among us.” Opposition members of parliament accused their counterparts of employing diversionary tactics while the opposition sought a government statement on the ongoing human rights violations against their supporters.
Dr. Kamara, in distress, stated that the diversion to discuss Zaake’s comments was a planned move to make them appear as jesters and added, “We will not accept this.” Ousted FDC chief whip Ssemujju vowed, “We are ready to defend Zaake. He cannot be a punching bag. Let those issues be addressed in their respective constituencies.” Muwanga Kivumbi described the subsequent discussions as “in bad faith to obstruct the long-overdue report on Kyagulanyi.”
