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Speaker Among issued a public apology for the “inhumane treatment” Zaake received, acknowledging that the violent outburst was unwarranted
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PARLIAMENT – Following a heated scuffle in Parliament, Speaker Anitah Among has suspended several MPs for three consecutive sittings and instructed the Sergeant at Arms to immediately remove them from the Chambers. “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. I am also invoking Rule 88(2) to order the above MPs to withdraw immediately and instructing the Sergeant at Arms to ensure they vacate the Chambers. I will now suspend the House for 15 minutes,” Speaker Among stated.
The incident escalated when Francis Zaake, MP for Mityana Municipality, was physically attacked by Anthony Akol, MP for Kilak North, over a seating disagreement. Earlier in the session, Speaker Among had invoked Rule 9 to allow free seating due to the large number of MPs in attendance. Despite this, Akol reportedly confronted Zaake, leading to a physical altercation.
Anthony Akol warns Zaake before proceeding to beat him
In response to the incident, Speaker Among issued a public apology for the “inhumane treatment” Zaake received, acknowledging that the violent outburst was unwarranted. “I want to register my apology to our colleague. What happened to Zaake was uncalled for. Following the events this morning, I will refer to Rule 89, which allows the Speaker to name members if their conduct cannot be adequately addressed otherwise,” Among said.
Not the first time
This isn't Zaake's first experience with violence; he has been beaten multiple times before, suffering severe injuries, including a broken neck and other harm, that have landed him in hospitals. In 2021, Zaake was reportedly beaten by security operatives in Kayunga District on December 14 when he attempted to drive past the presidential convoy. He received treatment at Rubaga Hospital afterward.
Zaake receiving treatment at Rubaga Hospital in 2021
MPS Suspended
List of MPs that were suspended by Speaker Among for three consecutive sittings, following the scuffle that ensued during today's plenary sitting.
Zaake was later rushed to hospital in a worrying state.
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