Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake has been hospitalized following a violent altercation that erupted during a plenary session in Uganda’s Parliament.
The confrontation broke out after Zaake raised concerns over what he described as a breach of security in the parliamentary chambers, claiming that individuals who were not MPs had entered the House carrying firearms.
Ahead of the day’s plenary session, Parliament was under heavy security presence, with deployments from the Special Forces Group (SFG), Counter-Terrorism Police, and the Field Force Unit.
However, this heightened security did not prevent tensions from escalating during the session, which ultimately descended into chaos.
The altercation reportedly began when Zaake got into a dispute with Kilak North MP Anthony Akol, with tempers flaring over a disagreement regarding a seating arrangement within the chambers.
The disagreement turned physical, and Zaake was reportedly assaulted by Akol, leaving him with injuries severe enough to require medical attention.
In the wake of the incident, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among issued an apology on behalf of the institution, condemning the physical attack on Zaake.
“I want to register my sincere apology to our colleague Zaake. What happened to him was unwarranted and not called for,” Among stated during the session. She further referenced Rule 89 of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, indicating that she may take disciplinary measures against involved members should their actions warrant it.
The incident adds to growing tensions in the Ugandan Parliament, where opposition MPs have been increasingly vocal.
Lights in the Chambers were switched off and more than 10 MPs arrested, mostly Buganda opposition MPs including Shamim Malende, Aisha Kabanda and others.