It was the chaos in the Parliament over the last week that sparked the condemnation on the behavior of legislators in the 10th Parliament. Civil Society players threatened Court action over the manner in which a motion to seek the amendment of Article 102 (b) of the Constitution to remove the Presidential age cap was pushed through the august house. “If it is true like other experts have alluded; that the Speaker should not have presided over that session, we are going to legally challenge the outcome.” Said, Arthur Larok – Country Director, ActionAid.

“It’s high time this government gives us, and tells us and then they throw in a towel such that we go back for elections and then we elect the government that is capable of leading Ugandans.” Said, Faridah Lule – FHRU. Women Rights Activists were not amused by the way the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga oversaw Parliamentary proceedings this week. Kadaga suspended 25 legislators on Wednesday an action that sparked off an explosive fight in the chamber of the Parliament. “Having a female Speaker of the Parliament and seeing what she did yesterday was a betrayal to women. Because we know that women are more peaceful than men, internationally that is well documented. So we never imagined that having a female Speaker of Parliament she could allow such violence on the floor of the Parliament.” Said, Catherine Kanabahita – Executive Director, DENIVA. “We have now concluded that this is Museveni’s Parliament and I don’t want to use my tax money to support somebody else’s Parliament. I want to use my tax money to support a representative for me, and for all of us. So my fellow citizens, let us understand this Parliament is not ours.” Said, Irene Ovonji – Executive Director, FIDA Uganda.

“Now, the entire country must be sure that this Bill that is being brought in the Parliament is not about anything else, it is not about leaping in the bird of discrimination, it is about entrenching the rule of President Museveni and making a life President.” Said, Crispin Kaheru – Executive Director, CCEDU. The Activists also vowed to support the 25 legislators and others brutalized during the scuffle. “It goes down in the history of this country as having the Speaker who surrendered her powers to hooligans.” Said, Crispin Kaheru – Executive Director, CCEDU. “We know where we are going, we want a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Uganda. And that’s what we are going to fight tooth and nail. Many of you will say yes, you make statements, yes, you are making all these utterances but I want to tell you that freedom is not achieved overnight.” Dr. Livingstone Ssewanyana – ED. FHRU.