By Joseph Kiggundu
KAMPALA. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has designated the embattled former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to a parliamentary committee chaired by Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake.
NRM’s latest decision brings together the two legislators whose relationship has been defined by years of acrimony, disciplinary battles and public confrontations.
Under the latest committee designations announced by Government Chief Whip Jane Ruth Aceng, Among, the Bukedea District Woman Representative, has been assigned to the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation.
The opposition has designated Zaake as chairperson of the same committee, with Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke serving as vice chairperson.
The committee plays a critical oversight role by tracking government promises, undertakings and commitments made on the floor of Parliament and assessing whether ministries, departments and agencies have fulfilled them.
The appointments mean that Among, who until earlier this year presided over Parliament as Speaker, will now sit as an ordinary committee member under the headship of Zaake, one of her fiercest critics during her tenure.
For many political observers, the development represents a remarkable reversal of fortunes.
During Among’s time as Speaker, Zaake repeatedly accused Parliament’s leadership of victimising opposition legislators and failing to protect them from violence inside the House.
Their strained relationship, however, stretches back even further.
Zaake first became the face of one of Uganda’s most violent parliamentary confrontations in September 2017 during the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, popularly known as the “Togikwatako” bill, which sought to remove the presidential age limit from the Constitution.
The chaotic proceedings descended into physical confrontations after opposition MPs attempted to block the tabling of the bill.
Security personnel, including members of the Special Forces Command who had entered the parliamentary chamber, forcibly removed several opposition legislators.
Zaake was among the MPs injured during the operation receicing a big right hook to the head by a minister and required medical treatment following the incident.
Years later, in November 2024, Zaake was again at the centre of a violent altercation inside Parliament when he was punched by Kilak North MP Anthony Akol during a heated exchange in the chamber.
The assault left Zaake bleeding from the face and forced him to seek treatment.
He subsequently criticised Speaker Anita Among, accusing her of failing to protect opposition legislators and of not taking sufficient action against violence within Parliament.
The political tensions between the two deepened further on March 11, 2022, when Parliament voted by secret ballot to remove Zaake from Parliamentary Commission following a report of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline.
He was accused of misconduct over social media statements directed at Among. A total of 155 MPs voted for his removal.
However, that was not the end of the story.
On September 28, 2023, the Constitutional Court nullified Parliament’s decision, ruling that the resolution removing Zaake had been passed without the constitutionally required quorum. The court therefore quashed the removal, effectively restoring his legal status as a Parliamentary Commissioner.
The matter became politically complicated in March 2024 after the National Unity Platform (NUP) resolved to replace then Commissioner Mathias Mpuuga with Zaake following the controversy over the “service award” payments.
Speaker Among declined to implement the party’s request, arguing that a political party could not unilaterally recall or replace a Parliamentary Commissioner because commissioners are elected by Parliament, not appointed by parties.
Now, political circumstances have brought the two together again, albeit under very different roles.
As chairperson of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, Zaake will preside over committee proceedings in which Among will participate as a member, an arrangement that underscores the shifting dynamics within the 12th Parliament following the end of her speakership.
The latest committee reshuffle also saw several other notable changes.
The ruling National Resistance Movement redesignated Among’s equally embattled husband and Budiope East MP Moses Magogo from the influential Budget Committee, where he had served for the past five years, to the Human Rights Committee.
Kachumbala County MP Patrick Isiagi was also dropped from the Budget Committee. Isiagi is an uncle of former Speaker Among.
The committee changes come as Parliament reorganises its oversight structures for the new session, with both the ruling party and the opposition reallocating members to various committees in line with their strategic priorities.
Standing Committees (Tenure of Service 2 and a half years)
PAC Central
• Patrick Nsamba Oshabe – Chairperson
• Sarah Lwansasula – Vice Chairperson
Cosase
• Muwadda Nkunyingi- Chairperson COSASE
• George Musisi – Vice Chairperson
Rules, Privileges, and Discipline
• Fred Ruhindi – Chairperson
• Swaibu Abdu Kampanya – Vice Chairperson
Budget Committee
• Amos Kankunda- Chairperson
• Dr Tom Aliti Candia – Vice Chairperson
National Economy
• Jane Pacuto – Chairperson
• Remigio Achia – Vice Chairperson
Equal Opportunities
• Catherine Lamwaka – Chairperson
• Melsa Avako – Vice Chairperson
Government Assurance
• Francis Zaake Francis – Chairperson
• Anna Adeke – Vice Chairperson
PAC Local Government
• Betty Nambooze – Chairperson
• Abdul Nasser Mudiobole- Vice Chairperson
Committee of HV/Aids
• Steven Kisa – Chairperson
• Madina Nsereko – Vice Chairperson
Human Rights Committee
• Wilson Kajwengye – Chairperson
• Lydia Mirembe – Vice Chairperson
Commitee on Climate Change
• Henry Bagiire – Chairperson
• Shafiga Wanyenya Shafiga – Vice Chairperson
Science and Technology
• Samuel Opio – Chairperson
• George Lubega – Vice Chairperson
Subsidiary Legislation
• Jenipher Mujungu – Chairperson
• Mercy Kanyesige – Vice Chairperson