The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has offered to mediate between the two opposition Members of Parliament who fought during the debate on National Coffee Amendment Bill 2024.
It should be recalled that last week during the Coffee Bill debate in parliament, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake was punched by Kilak North MP Anthony Akol and later Zaake was rushed to Nsambya hospital for treatment.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday at parliament, Ssenyonyi who is also the Nakawa West MP noted that the fight between the two Opposition MPs was uncalled for unless it was planned by the NRM Government to antagonize their plans to block the coffee bill.
Ssenyonyi confirmed that he has spoken to Zaake about the matter and that he is soon to engage Akol so that they can settle their grievances amicably.
However, this comes at a time after Zaake issued a notice of intention to sue Akol for assault while they were on the floor of parliament.
Meanwhile, the Opposition in parliament has vowed to take the economic war on coffee to the public sphere after the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) was dissolved through the controversial rationalization bill of the agency.
Ssenyonyi stated that the opposition plans to engage the public on supporting coffee growth and its value chain to secure economic benefits for all Ugandans involved in the coffee value chain.
He urged voters to demand accountability from political leaders on UCDA’s protection, especially as elections approach.
Responding to claims that the Opposition’s walkout facilitated the bill’s uninterrupted passing, Ssenyonyi clarified that they couldn’t debate in a parliament that was under captivity by military officers and also the threats from the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among who had ordered the switching off of lights in the parliamentary champers as well as the locking out of journalists.
He emphasized that the Opposition remains committed to challenging the coffee bill, both in parliament and in courts of law.
By Francis Lubega
12 Nov 2024
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