Bukenya cautions NRM leaders on presidential age limit

Prof. Gilbert Bukenya addressing a press conference in Kampala today where he appealed to NRM members of parliament in Kyankwanzi not to lift the 75 yearage limit for a presidential candidate. Photo by Geoffrey Sseruyange

Ex- vice president Prof Gilbert Balibaseka Bukenya has cautioned NRM leaders not to vote in favour of removing presidential age limit.
While addressing the media today, the former vice president Gilbert Bukenya said that while still the vice president in 2005, they were tricked by president Museveni to remove term limits on grounds that the ballot would be the only determinant of how long one rules.
The cry comes following allegations that NRM members of parliament in Kyankwanzi retreat are plotting to delay the 2016 general elections and remove the presidential age limit from the Constitution.
However the ruling party has distanced itself from a group of MPs said to be plotting for such constitutional reforms.
“We don’t have the age limit on the agenda and we have no plan to push the 2016 polls to 2018,” said Ms Evelyn Anite, the NRM caucus spokesperson.
“There is no crisis in NRM. The President is just 70 and he is still within the confines of the Constitution. The Opposition is panicking that’s why they are speculating. But let them know the NRM chairman is neither over-aged nor below age,” she said.
The denials came after warnings were issued by several other Opposition politicians and civil society that Uganda could suffer a “violent transition”.
Party leaders and Electoral Commission officials also jumped to the defence of EC chairman Badru Kiggundu who was denounced for attending a ‘partisan’ meeting on Monday.

SEE RELATED STORY BELOW: