The eight NRM MPs opposed to the amendment of the Article 102 (b) of the Constitution and lifting of the Presidential age limit who were ejected by the Party’s Chief Whip from an NRM Caucus Meeting were Theodore Ssekikubo, Barnabas Tinkasimire, Gaffa Mbwatekamya, John Baptist Nambeshe, James Achudri, David Kalwanga, Patrick Nsamba and Sylvia Rwabogo. The MPs were soon joined by Kinkizi West MP James Kaberuka who was later kicked out of the meeting for raising questions about the Presidential age limit.

The MPs accused Ruth Nankabirwa the NRM Chief Whip of abusing the Party’s Constitution and behaving in a rogue manner. However, Nankabirwa defended her actions saying it was pointless to have MPs in the meeting addressing the issue of the age limit. “The only lady, the Chief Whip Nankabirwa to stand in front of us, she becomes plentiful, she becomes a prosecutor, she becomes a Judge, she is a prisoner warder.” Said, Gaffa Mbwatekamwa – Kasambya County MP. “What they are doing there is not only torturous to the country but it is also torturous to the Party. No, any Party Organ or Caucus has ever discussed this matter.” Said, Theodore Ssekikubo – Lyemiyaga County MP. “It was agreed that they leave us as we planned to host it. It is now very clear that on this specific issue, they are not with the rest of the team and it would be deceiving ourselves if we really continued to sit with the opponents in quotes to discuss how you are going to oppose one another.” Said, Ruth Nankabirwa – Government Chief Whip.

The rejected MPs also accused Party leaders of denying them the opportunity to express their views on the age limit issue by giving reasons why they were opposed to the amendment of Article 102 (b). “This is was the only opportunity we had with our President, the President of Uganda to listen to what other Ugandans are saying because what we are not saying it isolation. We know that many Ugandans are saying the same.” Said, Sylvia Rwabogo – Woman MP, Kabarole District. They said that their colleagues were acting selfishly and were only driven by personal gain. According to Nankabirwa, the nine MPs were still Party members even as they vowed to go against the official Party position by challenging the amendment of Article 102 (b) and lifting the Presidential age limit.