Coffee Bill: Zaake Punched as Parliament Erupts, Forcing Suspension of Debate

A chaotic scene unfolded during Wednesday’s Parliament plenary, forcing Speaker Anita Among to suspend the session for 30 minutes. The disruption began when Francis Zaake, Member of Parliament for Mitanya Municipality, raised an alarm, claiming that a man with a gun was present in the chambers, an area restricted to non-members, known as “strangers.”

Zaake, referencing his past experience with firearms in the House, expressed concerns about the alleged presence of the weapon. In response, the Speaker directed the Sergeant at Arms to conduct a security check, which confirmed that no gun was present. However, Zaake, still unconvinced, attempted to search for the alleged weapon himself, leading to a confrontation with Amuru South MP Anthony Akol. The situation escalated into a physical altercation, disrupting the session and prompting the Speaker to suspend the sitting.

The atmosphere in Parliament was already tense as members prepared to vote on the divisive Coffee Amendment Bill. The opposition and the Buganda Caucus strongly oppose the bill, particularly the proposal to integrate the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) into the Ministry of Agriculture. The government, however, insists that the amendment aims to streamline agencies, reduce excessive spending, and improve service delivery.