Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake has threatened legal action against Kilak North MP Anthony Akol after a physical altercation on the Parliament floor escalated into chaos.
The incident took place during Wednesday’s heated plenary session, where MPs were debating a contentious coffee bill that dissolved the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) placing its functions under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Tensions mounted early in the session as Zaake raised concerns about security in the parliamentary chambers, claiming that an unidentified individual had entered the chamber with a firearm.
Speaker Anita Among, acting on Zaake’s allegation, directed the Sergeant at Arms to perform a security check on the individual in question, which confirmed no weapon was present. Dissatisfied, Zaake proceeded with his own inspection of the individual, despite the official security clearance.
Moments later, as the Speaker called for order, Zaake approached Akol, claiming that Akol had taken his seat while he had gone to raise his concern. The situation quickly escalated, with Zaake allegedly shoving Akol, who retaliated by punching Zaake repeatedly. The scuffle disrupted the session, forcing Speaker Among to suspend the House for 30 minutes. Zaake, who sustained injuries, was later rushed to Nsambya Hospital, where he received treatment and was subsequently discharged.
From his hospital bed, Zaake reiterated that he had temporarily vacated his seat to speak at the microphone and found Akol occupying it upon his return. Declaring his intention to seek justice, Zaake announced on X (formerly Twitter), “Upon being discharged from hospital, I have instructed my lawyers to take swift legal action against Mr. Akol Anthony (MP Kilak North) for physically assaulting me like a wild animal on the floor of Parliament as we debated the coffee Bill.”
Legal Proceedings and Demands
Zaake’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago of Lukwago & Co. Advocates, has since issued a formal notice to Akol, accusing him of assault and battery. In a letter, Lukwago alleged that during the November 6th session, Akol “physically assaulted and battered our client by repeatedly punching him in and/or around his head, causing him to fall and sustain injuries.” Lukwago’s letter detailed how the incident, captured on parliamentary footage and widely circulated in the media, had inflicted both physical and emotional trauma on Zaake, aggravating past injuries from previous incidents of alleged torture.
The letter demanded an “unequivocal apology” from Akol on the parliamentary floor or monetary compensation to address the injuries and indignity Zaake experienced. Should Akol refuse to comply, Lukwago warned, formal court proceedings would be initiated.
Akol’s Response and Escalating Tensions
Akol, however, dismissed Zaake’s threats, asserting that he would prevail in court. Responding on X, Akol wrote, “You started it before and lost. You have started it again, I can assure you that you will still lose. Lukwago is going to eat your money for nothing. No one has taken me to court and won, especially if you were first to fight me. This is not the first time.”
The confrontation has since ignited a war of words between Akol and Zaake’s political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP). Akol criticized NUP, accusing its members of unruly behavior, stating that the party is “full of hooligans.”
As the dispute continues, parliamentary observers express concern over the growing instances of in-house conflicts that detract from the legislative focus. The coffee bill debate remains unresolved, with Speaker Among expected to address the matter when Parliament reconvenes. Meanwhile, MPs and the public alike await the unfolding of the legal showdown between Zaake and Akol.
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