Parliament’s Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline is to commence investigations into the conduct of Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake, accused of behaving dishonorably during the ongoing inquiry into the Makerere University strike.
The directive to the committee was handed down by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga during her communication from the chair to the House on Thursday, 7 November 2019.
Hon. Zaake is accused of insulting Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, when he appeared before the Committee on Education and Sports on Wednesday, 6 November 2019.
The education committee was tasked by the House to investigate the circumstances surrounding the strike at the university.
“I have watched the footage of the departure of Prof. Nawangwe from the committee room. Hon. Zaake followed him, heckling him, insulting him, threatened to beat him, right up to the steps of this House,” Kadaga said.
Kadaga mentioned having received reports alleging that Zaake kept on interjecting when Nawangwe was speaking, accusing him of not addressing his concerns while ignoring the guidance of the committee chairperson and fellow MPs.
Zaake is also said to have behaved in an unbecoming manner when the State Minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo appeared before the same committee on Tuesday, 5 November 2019 over the Makerere strike.
Citing rules 83 & 84 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure which stipulate the manner Members are required to conduct themselves both in and outside Parliament, Kadaga ruled that Zaake breached Parliament’s code of conduct.
“In my view Hon Zaake acted in a manner unbecoming of a Member of Parliament and has breached our code of conduct, I, therefore, refer this matter to the committee of rules and discipline to make appropriate recommendations to the House within two weeks,” concluded the Speaker.