Wetang'ula suspends EALA MP Falhada Iman for 90 days over physical fight in Parliament
In a communication to Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Wetang'ula condemned the altercation, saying it tarnished the reputation of Parliament. He emphasised that such conduct was detrimental to the dignity and integrity of the institution.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has banned East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman from accessing Parliament and its facilities for 90 days following a violent altercation with Nominated Member of Parliament Umulkheir Harun.
The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely online, showed the two lawmakers wrestling each other to the ground, with female MPs attempting—unsuccessfully—to separate them.
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At one point, an MP can be heard calling for help, while another pleads for bystanders to stop recording the fight. The situation was eventually brought under control when members of the Sergeant-at-Arms intervened. Despite the separation, the two continued to exchange verbal insults.
In a communication to Members of Parliament on Wednesday, Wetang'ula condemned the altercation, saying it tarnished the reputation of Parliament. He emphasised that such conduct was detrimental to the dignity and integrity of the institution.
“Having reviewed the video and incident report, it is clear that the altercation casts Parliament in a negative light, likely damaging the dignity of Parliament and the sanctity of its precincts,” Wetang'ula said.
In this regard, Wetang'ula banned MP Falhada from Parliament for 90 days, except when delivering her written explanation to the Speaker.
“Falhada is precluded from accessing the precincts of Parliament for a period of 90 days, except for the day she will deliver her apology to the Speaker, on which she will be escorted by the Sergeant-at-Arms,” Wetang’ula said.
He further directed MP Umulkheir to submit a written explanation to both the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Service Commission by 5 pm on Monday, April 14, 2025.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with both MPs issuing statements in response to the altercation.
Falhada publicly apologised on Wednesday, expressing regret over the incident. “The incident was unfortunate and unacceptable. While I initially exercised restraint in the face of repeated inflammatory remarks, the situation regrettably escalated beyond control.”
“In the heat of the moment, my response crossed the line of decorum expected of a public servant. Let me be unequivocal: no circumstance justifies such a breach of conduct, and I take full accountability for my actions,” she added.
She emphasised that the issue was being handled through the appropriate institutional channels, and she remained committed to resolving the matter positively.
Meanwhile, Umulkheir also condemned the altercation, calling it “deeply regrettable.”
She accused Falhada of harboring longstanding grievances about her work in Parliament.
“Today, an unfortunate incident occurred on the parliamentary grounds—a situation I deeply regret both as a Member of Parliament and as a mother,” she said.
“My colleague from EALA, who has expressed consistent opposition to my work, confronted me in a manner I found completely unacceptable. She came to Parliament with the sole intent of attacking me, catching me completely off guard.”
Umulkheir confirmed that she had reported the incident to the relevant authorities and hoped that the matter would be addressed through due process.
Speaker Wetang'ula also revealed that parliamentary police are investigating the individual who recorded the altercation on Parliament grounds.
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