Zaake Before Rules Committee: Lawyers Begin Cross-Examination of Witnesses

On November 8, 2023, lawyers representing Mityana Municipality Legislator Francis Zaake commenced cross-examining witnesses in a case where the MP is accused of misconduct during a parliamentary sitting held on December 7, 2022.

Erias Lukwago, the attorney for MP Zaake, expressed shock at the delayed presentation of evidence in the form of footage, which was only recently made available to them after the inquiry had already begun.

The Rules, Discipline, and Privilege Committee of Parliament initiated an investigation into the second case against MP Zaake, in which he is alleged to have violated the House’s procedural rules by disrespecting Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

The committee, chaired by MP Abdu Katuntu, started the proceedings by reviewing CCTV footage of the chaos that ensued when MP Zaake insisted on raising a matter of missing persons on the floor of Parliament without obtaining clearance from the Speaker, as per the rules.

During the cross-examination, Zaake’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, questioned Hansard Editor Moses Bwalatum about his appointment to the position and why they tampered with the Speaker’s communication that referred Zaake to the Rules Committee.

Additional witnesses, including the former DPC of Parliament, were cross-examined, with the current DPC explaining the former’s absence due to his resignation from the force.

The investigation into Zaake’s alleged misconduct is set to continue this Thursday.