City lawyer Male Mabirizi has filed a case in Mbale High Court to contest the decision made by the deputy speaker of Parliament. The deputy speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, had referred the Member of Parliament for Mityana Municipality, Francis Zaake, to the Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline.
This referral was in response to allegations that Zaake used offensive language towards the Rakai woman legislator, Juliet Suubi Kinyamatama, on October 12, 2023.
Mabirizi’s request to the court is for a permanent injunction, preventing the Disciplinary Committee and Parliament from conducting any investigations against Zaake. He argues that Tayebwa’s decision to refer Zaake to the committee was made without hearing Zaake’s side, and he considers it illegal, procedurally incorrect, irrational, and in violation of Parliament’s functions and the Deputy Speaker’s powers.
Mabirizi emphasizes that his interest lies in the good governance of Uganda, democracy, the rule of law, and a free political environment in Uganda. He believes that it is fair for the court to consider his application. He is seeking a declaration that the decision to refer Zaake to the committee was illegal, procedurally incorrect, and irrational, and as a result, it should be invalidated, with Parliament being prohibited from conducting any investigations against Zaake.
The case currently lists only Deputy Speaker Tayebwa and the Attorney General as respondents, and they are awaiting summons to file their defense.
Zaake’s troubles began when he attended the National Unity Platform-NUP party Independence Cup football tournament in Lwamaggwa village, Buyamba Constituency, Rakai District, along with other politicians. During the tournament, it is alleged that Zaake used offensive language against Kinyamatama in a video clip that gained popularity on social media platforms.
In the video, he is reported to have called the fellow legislator a prostitute and questioned her suitability for the role. When they returned to Parliament, Kinyamatama raised the issue on the House floor, and a video was played, leading to mixed reactions and emotions among the members.
The situation escalated to a point where angry female MPs sought to confront Zaake for his verbal attacks, prompting Tayebwa to suspend the plenary session until the following Tuesday.
This marks the third instance in which Parliament has referred Zaake to its Discipline Committee. The previous referrals were for his absence from ten consecutive Parliamentary sittings and for verbally attacking and insulting the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, via his Twitter account.
As a result of these actions, the Committee found Zaake guilty and ordered him to apologize to Amongi. Furthermore, Parliament decided to suspend him from his role as the Parliamentary Commissioner. Dissatisfied with this decision, Zaake successfully petitioned the Constitutional Court.
