Kampala, (UG):- The rift between Rakai Woman MP Juliet Kinyamatama (NRM) and Mityana Municipality Francis Zaake has deepened further after the former called for a thorough mental evaluation of the NUP legislator on allegations that he labelled her a prostitute during a rally in Rakai District last year.
Zaake, who is battling disciplinary cases in his first term as Mityana MP is accused of making defamatory remarks equating Kinyamatama to a sex worker, something which has left her exposed to public humiliation and mockery.
Kinyamatama contends that while addressing a rally in Rakai District last year, Zaake uttered vulgar words about her and Gyaviira before calling on the electorates to abandon “elderly” politicians and vote for youthful ones available in the area, something she termed as a public attack at her fitting solemn demeanour and a disrespect to women.
The Rakai Woman MP was Tuesday appearing before the parliament rules and Regulation committee chaired by Bugweri District MP, Abdul Katuntu where she pushed for an equivocal apology from Zaake.
Hon Kinyamatama urged parliament to put stringent measures on the conduct of fellow legislators who act contrary to the parliamentary rules and regulations. She further cautioned the public from sending such irrefutable figures to parliament.
“Zaake is not a suitable candidate for the constituency and preferably advised that he should be dropped,” Hon Kinyamatama added.
The Rakai female legislator further demanded that Zaake should not have any excuse to be allowed back in parliament because of his conduct that depicts him as a person who was not worthy of representing a constituency.
However, through his lawyers, Erias Lukwago and Company Advocates, Zaake defended himself against the reported derogatory statements and demeaning remarks which contradict the integrity of parliament. He noted that it is entirely the work of the complainant her lawyer to avail evidence which must be subjected to proof.
Erias Lukwago, the lead counsel in the matter, while appearing again before Parliament’s Rules Committee expressed discontent with the committee and was forced to walk out of the proceedings in protest against its apparent bias and endorsement of the complainant’s hostile and combative demeanour during cross-examination.
Reading a pre-prepared written text before a tribunal is something Lukwago couldn’t bear.
The embattled Hon Zaake took to his X platform to say after the proceedings; “I was not surprised when she asked that I be ejected from Parliament and that I undergo a mental examination. Throughout history, those who stand for the truth have always paid a heavy price.”
“I might not be the first one to suffer persecution, but I will be the last one to go silent because of it. Tujja Bazoganya paka kuwulira bubi.” he added.
The NUP MP asked for another two weeks to either engage Lukwago or acquire another lawyer for further proceedings.
The Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the accused‘s representatives have on numerous occasions urged parliament’s committee on rules and discipline to drop its investigations into embattled Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake citing the irregularities and unfair proceedings from the matter.
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