Scuffle in Parliament: Among Suspends Over 10 MPs

The Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, has suspended several MPs for three consecutive sittings after a fistfighting that involved MPs Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality) and Anthony Akol (Kilak North county).

The suspended lawmakers include Francis Zaake, Anthony Akol, Shamim Malende, Wakayima Musoke, Aloysius Mukasa, and Charles Tebandeke.

Others are Isiah Sassaga and Asinansi Nyakato, Frank Kabuye, Evans Kanyike and Susan Mugabi.

Among ordered the Sergeant at Arms to ensure the suspended MPs are evacuated from the Chambers.

How it unveiled

The house had convened to consider the controversial National Coffee Amendment Bill, 2024, in which MPs were expected to decide whether Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) is abolished or not.

But amid the submissions, Anthony Akol assaulted Francis Zaake for allegedly taking up his seat in the Chambers. Earlier, Speaker Among evoked Rule 9 and declared a free sitting, given the huge numbers of MPs in the Chambers today.

The fighting prompted Among to suspend the house for several minutes before returning to fight of all, apologise for the incident, describing it as uncalled for.

“I want to register my apology to what happened to our colleague sincerely, that wasn’t called for. What happened to Zaake wasn’t called for.

She would then announce the suspension of more than 10 lawmakers.

“Following what transpired to Zaake this morning in the House, I will refer to Rule 89 which states that if the Speaker considers that the conduct of the member can’t be adequately dealt with, he/she may name the members,” said Among.

“I am proceeding to name the MPs and suspend these members for three consecutive sittings from this House. The Members are suspended with immediate effect from the House. I am also evoking Rule 88(2) to order the above MPs to withdraw immediately from the House and according order the Seargent at Arms that they vacate the Chambers and therefore suspend the House for 15minutes,” she added.

Lights in the Chambers would then be switched off to allow in security operatives. Video clips circulating on social media show female MPs including suspended Shamim Malende in very deem light pleading with the operatives not to hurt them.

She and others would then be manhandled as they forced them out of the chambers.

Luttamaguzi Ssemakula, MP Nakasese South, told this investigative news website that Zaake was by press time in Intensive Care, also we could not independently verify it.

Last week, President Yoweri Museveni promised “a showdown” with all those opposed to merging UCDA with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Those, he said, “are liars and criminals playing with fire. They will not like the counterattack.”

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