Age-limit: Battle lines drawn as Opposition unveils new combat plan
Members of Parliament opposed to the removal of presidential age limit led by Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi addresses the media at Parliament as Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Mugume Kaginda and Kalungu West MP Joseph Sewungu looks on. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA
What you need to know:
Ms Kadaga has been under scrutiny after she wrote to President Museveni asking him to explain the circumstances of the September 27th raid on Parliament even after she had presided over a sitting where NRM MPs extolled her for her conduct on September 27.
PARLIAMENT:
MPs opposed to the proposed amendment of Article 102(b) to remove age limits have unveiled a raft of activities to fight the amendment, putting them on a potential collision course with security agencies.
As the Parliament’s Legal Committee prepares to table a report on the proposed constitution amendment, the MPs opposed to the removal of age limits on Thursday revealed what they dubbed a “Togikwatako Week”, beginning December11, that will be illustrated by activists calling MPs to rally them not to vote for the removal of age limits, visits to MPs who reside in Kampala Metropolitan and an activists-led Guard of Honour to be erected at Parliament.
Plenary sittings in Parliament resume on December 12 and the Legal Committee is currently holed up in a retreat at the Lake Victoria Serena, Kigo, in a race against time to ensure that the highly-awaited report is ready for tabling that day.
MPs opposed to removal of age limits today (Thursday) nominated Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi as the de-facto leader of the “Togikwatako Week” and he quickly put Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura and Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on notice to act responsibly.
Mr Kivumbi said they want voting on the polarising Bill to be open, and not secret ballot, so that MPs are ready to shoulder responsibility for their voting. He urged the Speaker to ensure that Parliament is not raided as was the case on September 27, 2017.
“We do not expect to see SFC here. We do not expect to see a barricade here. We do not want any excuses from the Speaker that she does not know who will have invaded Parliament. Now is the time for everyone to take responsibility because this is a very critical time for the country,” Mr Kivumbi said.
Ten Opposition MPs attended today’s briefing.
Ms Kadaga has been under scrutiny after she wrote to President Museveni asking him to explain the circumstances of the September 27th raid on Parliament even after she had presided over a sitting where NRM MPs extolled her for her conduct on September 27.
