Age limit: Bishop Odama urges legislators on honesty and transparency

The Gulu Arch Diocese Arch Bishop John Baptist Odama leading a mass on Sunday at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Photo By Julius Ocungi

What you need to know:

  • Bishop Odama said plans to amend the constitution by a group of greedy individuals would determine a bad future for the country arguing that the country went through rough times in the past which should not be repeated.
  • In October this year, Bishop Odama in a statement jointly issued by the Acholi Religious Leaders Initiative, an interfaith organization described that removing the age limit from the constitution tantamount to an act of treason.

GULU: The Archbishop of Gulu Arch Diocese John Baptist Odama has cautioned Ugandan legislators in the tenth parliament to exhibit honesty and transparency while debating and voting on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2017.

Parliament is in the process of amending Article 102 (b) of the Constitution which bars any person aged below 35 or above 75 from standing for presidency.

The Constitution Amendment Bill 2017 presented to Parliament by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi has already been adopted by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.

Bishop Odama said the legislators should be mindful of the peace of Uganda while they seek to change the constitution irrespective of whether they are in government or opposition.

“Legislators should not beshame our country, they should ensure that the process of changing the constitution is done in honesty, accountability and with utmost transparency in front of God and the rest of Ugandans,” Bishop Odama said.

Bishop Odama made the remarks while passing his Christmas message to congregation at Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in Gulu Municipality on Sunday.

He noted that the constitution is the utmost law in the country, which binds even children and austerity adding that legislators should not joke with amending it anyhow.

Bishop Odama said plans to amend the constitution by a group of greedy individuals would determine a bad future for the country arguing that the country went through rough times in the past which should not be repeated.

He said religious leaders have supported that voice of Ugandans who make up the constitution be involved to determine the removal of presidential age limit.

In October this year, Bishop Odama in a statement jointly issued by the Acholi Religious Leaders Initiative, an interfaith organization described that removing the age limit from the constitution tantamount to an act of treason.