Age Limit: PM Rugunda orders Kabale NRM officials to whip MP Sabiiti
Rugunda greeting some voters in Rubanda on Wednesday evening. AGENCIES PHOTO
What you need to know:
- He directed the district party leadership led by David Bahati to take appropriate action and discipline Sabiiti as a show of might of the ruling party.
- Mr Bahati said they will convene as the NRM party leadership in Kabale district and sermon the MP for disciplinary action.
The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has directed the Kabale District National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leadership to crack a whip against the Rubanda West County MP Denis Sabiiti for going against the party position on the presidential age limit.
Dr Rugunda accuses the MP of defying the party position to support the proposed bill to amend article 102 (b) of the constitution. The bill which was tabled by Igara West MP, Raphael Magyezi, seeks to among other things, remove age restrictions on the person seeking to contest for presidency.
The provision restricts the president's age to between 35 and 75years. Dr Rugunda is currently traversing Kigezi region to popularize the proposed removal of the presidential age limit. He is accompanied by the State Minister for Housing, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the State Minister for Planning, David Bahati and former Information and National Guidance Minister, Jim Muhwezi.
Addressing NRM party leaders at Rubanda District Council hall on Wednesday evening, Dr Rugunda wondered why MP Sabitti decided to go against the party position on the proposed amendments. During his consultative meetings last week, Mr Sabiiti openly asked his electorate to reject the removal of the presidential age limit.
Dr Rugunda said the decision by the legislator to convince his electorate to reject the proposed amendment has angered top party officials. He described Sabiiti as a prodigal son who is directly fighting the success of President Museveni and his developmental projects.
He directed the district party leadership led by David Bahati to take appropriate action and discipline Sabiiti as a show of might of the ruling party.
Mr Bahati said they will convene as the NRM party leadership in Kabale district and sermon the MP for disciplinary action.
Mr Sabiiti later told this reporter that he will not go against the will of his voters who have unanimously asked him not to support the proposed scrapping of the presidential age limit.
