Member of Parliament Hon. Francis Zaake was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after a heated altercation turned violent with fellow MP Hon. Anthony Akol, amid escalating tensions over the contentious Coffee Amendment Bill.
Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake was hospitalized on Wednesday following a physical clash with Amuru South MP Anthony Akol during a tense plenary session. The altercation erupted after Zaake raised concerns about an alleged gun presence in the Parliament chambers—a claim that heightened emotions and led to scuffles on the Parliament floor.
The chaotic incident was captured in a widely circulated video showing Hon. Akol punching Zaake multiple times in the face and head. The fight reportedly began when Zaake attempted to search a fellow MP after Speaker Anita Among had already requested the Sergeant at Arms to check for any weapons. Though no gun was found, Zaake’s insistence on conducting his own search angered Akol, leading to the physical altercation.
In the video, Akol, visibly agitated by Zaake’s actions, stood up and struck Zaake, leading security and fellow MPs to intervene. Following the scuffle, Zaake was escorted out of the chamber and transported to the hospital in a waiting ambulance.
The incident forced Speaker Among to suspend the parliamentary sitting for 30 minutes. This disruption occurred on a day when Parliament was set to debate and vote on the controversial Coffee Amendment Bill. Opposition MPs, alongside the Buganda Caucus, have voiced strong opposition to the bill, particularly its proposal to move the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture—a move they believe will undermine regional coffee interests.
This is not the first time Zaake has faced physical altercations in Parliament. In 2017, he sustained injuries after a similar confrontation with General Katumba Wamala. Zaake’s consistent involvement in high-profile conflicts underscores the rising tensions and deeply polarized atmosphere within Uganda’s legislative body.
As Parliament resumes its session, questions remain over the handling of heated debates and security within the chambers. With divisive issues on the table, including the Coffee Bill, MPs are bracing for further debate amid a climate of heightened emotions and political division.
