Francis Zaake has said he will lead Parliament’s Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation without settling old political scores, despite now chairing a committee on which former Speaker Anita Annet Among serves as a member.
The Mityana Municipality MP said the change in roles demonstrates why leaders should remain humble, noting that positions of authority can change over time.
Two years ago, Ms Among presided over proceedings that removed Mr Zaake from the Parliamentary Commission, a decision he has consistently maintained was politically motivated. Today, their positions have effectively reversed, with Mr Zaake chairing a committee that includes the former Speaker.
Rather than seeking revenge, he said he would welcome her and lead according to parliamentary rules.
“It comes not just from the heart, but from every part of me. I sincerely welcome her,” Mr Zaake said in an interview.
He added: “The person you lead today may one day lead you. Someone who is your subordinate today could become your superior tomorrow. That’s why humility and respect should always guide leadership.”
Mr Zaake, who retained his parliamentary seat in the 2026 general election, described the polls as lacking credibility, alleging that they were marred by violence, arrests and voting irregularities.
“I wouldn’t describe it as a credible election. The process was deeply flawed,” he said.
He claimed that in Mityana Municipality, several people were arrested, others injured and at least one person died before results were declared.
“A body was left on a pickup truck by the roadside, and, to my knowledge, that death has never been accounted for,” he said.
Mr Zaake also alleged that failures of biometric voting machines prevented many voters from casting their ballots.
Despite the challenges, he credited his supporters for securing his victory.
“I survived because of the people who stood by me. They didn’t just vote for me; they campaigned alongside me and, most importantly, stood their ground and protested until my victory was declared,” he said.
Committee priorities
Mr Zaake said his appointment as chairperson of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation would allow him to push government institutions to fulfil commitments made to Ugandans.
“First, I’m very grateful to my party,” he said.
“That trust gives me the opportunity to hold the government accountable for the promises it has made to the people of Uganda.”
He said one of his first priorities would be demanding accountability over the conduct of the 2026 elections, including the publication of Declaration of Results (DR) forms by the Electoral Commission.
“I’ve heard the chairperson of the Electoral Commission say that we must kneel before him for him to upload all the Declaration of Results (DR) forms. No, that’s not how it works,” he said.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
“The law is clear: he is required to upload them.”
Mr Zaake also cited poor road infrastructure as another issue the committee should pursue.
“If you ask Ugandans about roads that were promised, budgeted for but never constructed or completed, they will give you countless examples,” he said.
Working with an NRM-majority committee
Although the committee is dominated by members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Mr Zaake said he remained optimistic about working with them.
He noted that he and his deputy, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) MP Ann Adeke Ebaju, are the only opposition members on the committee.
“She is highly capable and very articulate, and I’m looking forward to working with her,” he said.
Mr Zaake said the committee had not yet held its inaugural meeting but insisted he would not be discouraged if disagreements arose.
“I’m not easily discouraged. I’ll do everything I can to ensure that doesn’t happen,” he said.
‘Fear has never guided my decisions’
Asked whether he feared losing another parliamentary leadership position, having previously been removed from the Parliamentary Commission, Mr Zaake said he remained focused on his principles.
“Fear has never guided my decisions. I simply do what I believe is right and stand my ground,” he said.
“By now, I could easily have been dead, but I’m still here because God has a role for me to fulfil.”
He described the Government Assurance and Implementation Committee as one of Parliament’s most influential committees, saying it plays a key role in following up on government commitments.
Message to former Speaker
Mr Zaake said he intended to engage Ms Among and encourage her to participate fully in committee work.
“As chairperson, I will speak to her and encourage her to attend the committee,” he said.
“I also assure her that I will follow the rules and lead differently. I want to demonstrate the kind of leadership I believe Parliament deserves.”
He said he had no intention of treating Ms Among as he believes he was treated during her tenure as Speaker.
“In the past, she used the rules to remove me from the Parliamentary Commission. I will not do the same,” he said.
Reflecting on past confrontations
Mr Zaake also revisited the confrontations he faced during the 11th Parliament, including clashes with some female MPs following a dispute in 2023.
“I don’t believe they were justified. Their actions were violent towards me,” he said.
“I’ve never been violent towards anyone, yet I’ve often been on the receiving end of violence.”
He maintained that he had remained committed to his principles throughout his political career.
“When you stand by the truth, time eventually vindicates you,” he said.
Looking ahead
Mr Zaake said Ugandans should expect no change in his approach during the 12th Parliament.
“Zaake doesn’t change. I’ll remain the same person I’ve always been,” he said.
“I’ll continue to stand my ground whenever necessary… We must continue to raise our voices and speak out on the issues that matter. We will not grow tired of doing that.”
Also Read: Amama Mbabazi’s Daughter Wanted Over Unpaid Shs 450m Loan
