The fight to save Mityana Municipality legislator Francis Butebi Zaake from appearing before the parliamentary committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline to answer to allegations of abusing a fellow female legislators is in high gear.
Last week, deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa sent Zaake to the parliamentary disciplinary committee chaired by Bugwere county legislator Abdul Katuntu. The committee summoned him to appear before them this Thursday but the meeting flopped.
Zaake is accused of travelling from Mityana district to Rakai district where he addressed a gathering and abused Juliet Kinyamatama the area district woman Member of Parliament who she branded a prostitute.
theGrapevine established that summons were sent to Zaake himself and his lawyers led by Kampala Lord mayor Ssalongo Erias Lukwago. However, he did not appear nor his lawyers and the committee are stranded on the possible date to summon him again.
theGrapevine has also learnt that Zaake is not supposed to appear before the committee until the expiration of his suspension where is he supposed to miss three consecutive sittings as per the decree from Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa over indiscipline.
Let Us Build Your Online Success!
We are the experts in creating visually stunning and functional websites. With reliable hosting and exceptional customer support, we bring your vision to life. Join hundreds of happy clients who trust us!
Get Started Now📞 Call/WhatsApp: +256 207 800 192
According to Chris Obore, parliament’s director for communication and corporate affairs, Zaake and other suspended legislators who include; Mityana district woman legislator Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa, Kasanda South’s Frank Kabuye, Makindye East’s Derrick Nyeko and Mukono Municipality’s Betty Nambooze are not supposed enter the parliamentary building until their suspension is over.
Sources at parliament said that Zaake’s suspension is expected to expire next week.
Mbale High Court has also set a date to hear an application filed by a concerned citizen Kassim Male Mabirizi challenging Tayebwa’s orders against Zaake.
Tayebwa was sued together with Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and the application is going to be entertained on 15th of November 2023 at Mbale High Court.
Mabirizi wants court to declare that Tayebwa’s actions against Zaake are illegal, procedurally improper and the deputy speaker doesn’t have powers to do what he did.
He also wants a court order prohibiting Katuntu’s committee from executing Tayebwa’s orders.
The defendants have not yet filed their defense.
