The Parliament of Uganda has formally requested the High Court in Mbale to dismiss an application submitted by lawyer Male Mabirizi challenging the decision of Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to refer Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Francis Zaake, to the Rules, Privileges, and Discipline Committee for investigation.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa made this decision on October 12, 2023, following allegations from Rakai Woman MP, Juliet Suubi Kinyamatama, who accused Zaake of using inappropriate language during a visit to her constituency.
Mabirizi filed his petition on October 16th, 2023, targeting Tayebwa and the Attorney General, arguing that the Deputy Speaker’s decision was predetermined. He seeks a declaration of the decision as illegal, procedurally improper, and irrational, also seeking to prevent Parliament from conducting any further investigations against Zaake.
Zaake’s troubles arose during his attendance at the National Unity Platform-NUP party Independence Cup football tournament in Lwamaggwa village, Buyamba Constituency, Rakai District. It’s alleged that Zaake directed insults at Kinyamatama, leading her to raise complaints upon their return to Parliament.
James Mukaga, representing the Parliamentary Commission, asserts that Mabirizi lacks sufficient interest to file the case, deeming his application incompetent and devoid of merit. Mukaga argues that Parliament has the discretion to refer matters to the Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline, emphasizing that the Committee’s proceedings adhere to principles of natural justice.
He clarifies that neither the Constitution nor Parliament’s Rules of Procedure mandate the Speaker to hear a member before such referral. Mukaga underscores the quasi-judicial nature of the Committee’s proceedings, highlighting Zaake’s previous appearances before it.
This incident marks the third time Zaake has been referred to the discipline committee, with previous referrals relating to absences from parliamentary sittings and verbal attacks against the Speaker of Parliament.
