Last week members of Parliament opposed to amending the Constitution to remove the Presidential age limit addressed the media and promised to use any means necessary to prevent it from being passed. According to the Police, the statements uttered by the MPs’ were offensive and were meant to incite violence. The Police therefore summoned Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko, Lwemiyaga ,MP Theodore Ssekikubo, Buyaga West, MP Barnabas Tinkasimire and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana to record statements in relation to their statements. “We received complaints from their fellow members of Parliament of course who are being threatened and of course their life is under danger because of their own support to the lifting of term limits.” Said, Vicent Ssekate – CIID Spokesperson.

The MPs said, the Police should instead summon the Koboko Woman Member of Parliament Evelyn Anite for dragging the army into partisan politics. “We would have expected the Police to first summon a one Anite who spoke and incited the military against the Constitutional order.” Said, Theodore Ssekikubo – MP, Lwemiyaga. Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko said they were simply intimidated by the Police and NRM should stop using the government institutions to suppress the masses. “So at this moment in time, we shall not be scared, we shall not be deterred, we shall move and take the correct path.” Said the Kampala Central MP.

Meanwhile, there was a heavy deployment of Policemen re-enforced by Military Police around the Parliament. The unusual deployment prompted MPs Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu and Lutamaguzi Semakula to approach the officers and ask what their intentions were. The MPs said the presence of heavy armed security agents was meant to suppress the free and fair debate in the Parliament. However, the Police said the deployment was legal. “I don’t think it is illegal and we like now to protect our Constitution, now I requote the Constitution.” Said, Asan Kasingye – Police Spokesperson.

Also, Bukwo District Woman Member of Parliament Evelyn Chemutai said she was opposed to lifting the age limit and she was tricked into appending her signature on a list of those in support of the proposed amendment of Article 102 (b). Chemutai claimed that she signed what was called an attendance list of a consultative meeting of NRM MPs. “It was just a consultative meeting, it was not Caucus. So at the end of the day we realized when everybody was saying that we accepted that everybody should go for an age limit. I will be quoted, I remember asking them; some of us have problems back in the Constituencies, how are we going to market out this thing of removal of age limit?” Said, Evelyn Chemutai – Woman MP, Bukwo District. The private members’ Bill paving way for the amendment of Article 102 (b) of the Constitution which set its Presidential age limit was set to be tabled this week.