News of NRM MPs passing a motion that paves way for the introduction of a Bill to lift the Presidential age limit continued to draw criticism from members of the Opposition. Many came out against any attempts to amend Article 102 (b) of the Constitution to lift the Presidential age limit. Kizza Besigye the former FDC Presidential candidate reacted to the news by saying he was not surprised by this move since it had always been the President’s intention to stay in power by any means. “Any person who has been living in this country knows that Museveni is totally determined to rule until he dies, that is his very clear intention. Members of Parliament, most of them are just his pawns, he brought them there, and he uses them the way he wants.” Said, Dr. Kizza Besigye – Former FDC Party President.
Dr. Besigye also said that this move was being pushed by MPs who were only looking for their own personal and monetary gains. “And they have been openly saying Museveni should give them 1 billion shillings so that they can eat it and go home because they know people will never bring them back. So they have been negotiating openly to sell the country, I understand that before this meeting, they may have settled for only 300 million.”
FDC’s Secretary General and Former Leader of Opposition Nathan Nandala Mafabi revealed that the MPs who were pushing for the amendment clearly did not know what they were doing and how the Parliament was supposed to work. “These Constitutional amendments; we should do a Constitution review and if anyone wants to amend Museveni’s age limit so that he can want to rule until he dies, let Museveni say this Constitution was made for me and me alone.” Said, Nandala Mafabi – Budadiri West MP.
Other Opposition MPs vowed to challenge the motion in whichever way they can “When we say Tojikwatako; we are resisting not tampering with Article 102 (b) when you bring an amendment, our role is to fight it back. We are going to be stronger, let me tell you these people who have been in the conference hall; the majority of them were not aware of what took them there. They were clustered into ten, ten with someone managing them.” Said, Joseph Sewungu – Kalungu West MP. “Definitely we cannot keep quiet as Opposition in this country, within a short time we shall come out and I think you will hear what we are going to tell the country.” Said, Roland Mugume – Acting Leader of Opposition. “I’m also appealing to the people of Uganda that wherever you are as a concerned citizen and you are against such an amendment, please do each and everything you can do.” Said, Allan Ssewanyana – Makindye West MP. This was not the first time the MPs from the ruling party were pushing for a controversial Constitutional amendment. In 2005, members of Parliament amended the Constitution to lift the Presidential term limits allowing President Museveni to run again after the end of his last Constitutional term in 2006.
