Drama rocked Parliament today as a scuffle over seating erupted into a physical altercation, with Kilak North MP Anthony Akol reportedly landing punches on Mityana Municipality’s Francis Zaake.
The chaos forced Speaker Anita Among to wield her gavel, suspending a list of MPs for three consecutive sittings after invoking Rule 88(2).
In a shocking scene, tempers flared when Zaake allegedly sat in Akol’s spot, triggering an explosive reaction from the Kilak North MP. Despite Speaker Among earlier declaring a “free sitting” due to the packed Chambers, Akol didn’t hold back, and fists flew.
Amid the uproar, Speaker Among ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove the suspended MPs immediately and gave the House a 15-minute cool-down break.
Apologizing for Zaake’s ordeal, Speaker Among condemned the violent encounter, calling it “inhumane” and unnecessary. “What happened to Zaake was uncalled for,” she said, expressing her regret over the incident.
Zaake was later seen on a stretcher out of parliament building, lying under a white cover. Several opposition MPs including Derrick Nyeko and Richard Lulume surrounded the stretcher, guiding it down the steps, while others looked on with serious expressions.
The full list of suspended MPs includes prominent opposition figures like Wakayima Musoke and Derrick Nyeko.
This isn’t the first time tensions over seating arrangements have caused chaos in the House, but today’s brawl is bound to raise eyebrows over the conduct of elected leaders in Uganda’s highest legislative body.
