LoP Kiiza snubs Speaker Kadaga meeting

The Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza has explained why she skipped a meeting scheduled by Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga on Wednesday.
The meeting, according to sources close to Speaker's office, had been called to discuss guidelines on how MPs were to consult voters over the ongoing presidential age limit debate.
This follows the Constitutional (Amendment) (No.2) bill, 2017 by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi which seeks among others, to lift the presidential age limit under Article 102(b) of the Constitution.

Following events in the Parliament chambers last month where a section of MPs opposed to the lifting of the presidential age limit were forcefully evicted from the House prior to the tabling of the bill, Speaker Kadaga was set on a collision path with the opposition legislators.

The Speaker has for the last one week been seen to be trying to reconcile with her members through her visits to the different MPs who were injured in the scuffle with some still bed ridden.
Speaking to journalists at parliament on Thursday, Ms Kiiza noted that she had received a letter from Speaker Kadaga inviting her for a meeting whose agenda had not been highlighted.

"The invitation wasn't indicating that we are going to discuss how we are going to move with consultations, I am just getting it from you," said Ms Kiiza while explaining why she had not appeared for Kadaga's meeting with the different Opposition party whips.

She further noted that the meeting was not necessary since guidance on consultation had been given in the House before sittings were adjourned.
According to her, Speaker Kadaga needs to prevail over is the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura who is reportedly making it impossible for MPs opposed to the lifting of the presidential age limit to consult.

Opposition Chief Whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda says before they interface with the Speaker on any matter, she owes them an explanation why security operatives raided parliament and forcefully ejected them.

Article 102(b) caps the presidential age at 75, and MP Magyezi's bill is seen as a move which could make President Museveni eligible to contest for another term of office.
At 73, Museveni would be ineligible to contest for the presidency in 2021, when his current term ends.