Zaake Appears Before Parliamentary Rules Committee for Misconduct

The embattled MP Francis Zaake, the Member of Parliament for Mityana Municipality, appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Rules and Privileges today to address allegations of misconduct. Accompanied by his legal counsel and the Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, Zaake faced the committee, flanked by fellow opposition MPs, including Frank Kabuye of Kasanda South.

The reason for Zaake’s appearance before the committee was his alleged use of derogatory and demeaning language towards Hon. Semwanga Gyavira, the MP for Buyamba County in Rakai District, and Juliet Kinyamatama, the woman MP for Rakai District, as well as making disparaging remarks about Parliament in general.

This matter was referred to the committee on October 12, 2023, by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa after Rakai Woman MP Juliet Kinyamatama raised a procedural issue regarding Zaake’s conduct. He was accused of referring to her as a prostitute and describing Parliament as useless. A video capturing these remarks was played in Parliament, leading to a protest by opposition MPs and a legislative deadlock.

Zaake’s history of using abusive language against leaders and failing to adhere to decorum while raising issues has raised concerns about the quality of elected leaders. For instance, in March 2022, he was impeached for directing abusive language towards the then Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among. In November 2022, Zaake caused another disturbance in Parliament when he seized the microphone without the presiding officer’s authorization, prompting Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa to adjourn the session briefly to restore order.

some of the opposition legislators in the meeting

In November 2019, during the 10th Parliament, Zaake was involved in a physical altercation with Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, following a parliamentary committee meeting. This incident led to his removal by other MPs, who urged him to leave the Vice Chancellor alone. Zaake’s conduct during this incident was highly criticized, and he was seen shouting in the corridors.

Critics have questioned Zaake’s behavior, with prominent political analyst Imam Kasozi attributing it to the inexperience of young individuals elected to positions of power. An anonymous legislator from the National Unity Platform (NUP) expressed concern about Zaake’s actions, stating that he is an embarrassment to the opposition and that his repeated blunders have raised doubts about the opposition’s ability to govern effectively.

On the other hand, Erias Lukwago maintains that Zaake is innocent of the accusations, underscoring the complexity of the situation. According to the Commitee Chair Adul Katuntu, the MPs who were abused will also be invited to give therir evidence and a report will be produced.  The Committee was given 45 days to produce the report.