The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee that was scrutinizing the controversial Constitution amendment Bill 2017 lined up a list of key stakeholders to give their views and among them was former premier Prof. Apollo Nsibambi but to the surprise of the Committee, Prof. Apollo Nsibambi one of the most respected and trusted senior Citizens to advise the Committee officially turned down the invitation without giving clear reasons. “Today, I have received a letter of acknowledgment from Prof. Apollo Nsibambi saying he is grateful for the invitation but he will be unable to attend the meeting. He didn’t give any additional reason for that, he did not have to. Yes, we shall miss him but luckily enough he is not the only professor we have invited from Political Science. I believe that others will come and they catch up but we would have loved to have him.” Said Jacob Oboth Oboth the Committee Chairperson.

With this information falling to the ears of those against the lifting of the Presidential age limit, Prof. Apollo Nsibambi’s decision not to appear before the Committee was called for. “He knows the President in and out and he is fearing to reveal other issues about the President. He is aware of the ambition of H.E President Yoweri Museveni that is why he is now fearing, shying away never to appear before the Committee because he thinks that he may contradict with the President.” Said Gilbert Oulanya – MP Kilak South (FDC).

“Prof. Nsibambi is trying to avoid being straightforward as his heart tell him. Because according to me with his age and his integrity, he is supposed to stand by the Constitution, he is supposed to say you don’t tamper with the Constitution, you don’t tamper with Article 102 (b) because the Constitution must be respected.” Said Ssentongo Robinah – Woman MP, Kyotera (DP). “It is very right for Prof. Nsibambi, he has got integrity which he has to defend.” Said Kato Lubwama – MP Lubaga South (DP). “People don’t want to be duped into believing that there are no preconceived decisions that is why the whole notion of consultation when people have already sworn to Kugikwatako is duping the country. So many elders that see beyond the ordinary don’t want to be part of a group that you can dupe.” Said Muwanga Kivumbi – MP Butambala (DP).

But to those in support of the controversial Magyezi Bill, this was a sign of cowardice. “You don’t subscribe to the jurisdiction of an institution, of an entity you have created then that becomes quite appalling.” Said Guster Mugoya – MP Bukooli North (NRM). “A former Prime Minister, am sure in 2005 he was a serving officer in the government, he was a Prime Minister if am not mistaken. How comes by then when they were amending the Constitution to remove term limits he kept quiet? And now when you are going to amend the Constitution to remove the age limit he is now talking. I think we would be privileged to hear his side of the story.” Said Simeo Nsubuga – MP Kasanda South (NRM).