Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Francis Zaake has through his lawyers questioned the jurisdiction of the ongoing probe into his conduct. 

This is in line with the investigations by the Rules, Privileges and Discipline committee is investigating Zaake for the alleged misconduct and use of unparliamentary language on the directive of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among.    

Zaake told the committee that he believes the allegations against him are malicious, unfounded and in bad faith. He described the ongoing committee proceedings as unfair to him because they are borne out of an incurable conflict of interest.

“To understand why I say so, please consider this context: On the 8th of February 2022, I was shocked and deeply hurt when the RT. Hon. Deputy Speaker made a very cruel joke about me as a torture victim. That day as she presided over a debate about the rampant torture of citizens by security forces, Rt. Hon. Anita Among stated ‘Much as Hon. Zaake was tortured –as you have said – he was able to win a gold medal in athletics with a broken leg,” Zaake to MPs.

He also says that he was already found guilty of the allegations even before the matter first came to the floor of parliament since the security detail that he is entitled to as a Commissioner of Parliament was unceremoniously withdrawn without any explanation on February 11th, 2021.

His lawyer, Eron Kiiza also questioned the jurisdiction of the committee to entertain a matter regarding the social media comments of a legislator. He requested that they be accorded the opportunity to make submissions on the question of jurisdiction in two days’ time in the interest of fairness.

Abdu Katuntu, the committee Chairperson advised the lawyers to address themselves to the rules of procedure of parliament as they raise the issue of jurisdiction.

Katuntu then gave the lawyers only one day to make submissions as to why the committee has no jurisdiction. He also asked the lawyers to limit their legal submissions to the Constitution. 

Medard Lubega Sseggona, the Busiro East MP however said that the committee should not restrict witnesses who want to present the committee with the material.

Katuntu then agreed with Sseggona but emphasized that Article 94 of the Constitution, the Parliament Rules of Procedure and specifically Appendix F addresses the code of conduct of a Member of Parliament.