Where your MP stands on age limit debate

Kampala- As the debate on lifting the presidential age nears fever pitch, Sunday Monitor sounded out different MPs on how they would vote if the matter was put to the vote in the House.
Following the declaration by a number of NRM MPs on Tuesday that they will table a private member’s Bill to delete Article 102 (b) from the Constitution and do away with the age limitation to the presidency, different groups came up to support or oppose the proposal.
MPs, who in the last Parliament were dubbed ‘rebel MPs’, told the press a day later that they would even physically fight on the floor of Parliament to block the move.

The MPs include Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM, Lwemiyaga), Monicah Amoding (NRM, Kumi), John Baptist Nambeshe (NRM, Manjiya), Felix Okot-Ogong (NRM, Dokolo) and Wilfred Nuwagaba (Ndorwa West, IND).
The others are Muhammad Nsereko (Kampala Central, Ind), Patrick Nsamba (NRM, Kassanda North, Barnabas Tinkasiimire (NRM, Buyaga West) and Odonga Otto (FDC, Aruu).

LoP speaks out
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winnie Kiiza, who had travelled to Germany with FDC president Mugisha Muntu, posted on Facebook that the age limit was “the only safety valve that is and was remaining” to prevent President Museveni from ruling for life.
“We call upon Ugandans to resist that motion as it may plunge the country into a situation that may not be good for all of us, whether in government or Opposition.”

The FDC MPs we spoke to all say they will vote to maintain the age limit, although the promoters of the Bill claim they have agreed with an unnamed FDC MP to second a motion they intend to table to seek leave of Parliament to bring a Bill aiming to scrap the age limit from the Constitution.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu, also the Democratic Party chief whip in Parliament, told Sunday Monitor: “I am against it and I have met every DP MP and they are all against the removal of [the presidential] age limit.”
The situation is not as straightforward regarding the Uganda People’s Congress, especially since one of its MPs, Ms Betty Amongi, is the Minister of Lands.

Cabinet on Friday resolved to back the bid to remove the age limit from the constitution, and it remains to be seen whether Ms Amongi will contract the position. The ministers sampled for this article, including Sports State minister Charles Bakkabulindi, said they are bound by collective responsibility on this matter.
The UPC chief whip in Parliament, Mr Santa Alum, said: “As a person, I do not support the removal of age limits but we have not sat down as a party to come up with an official party position.”

The army will be another interesting constituency to watch. Three members of its 10-man representation in Parliament referred Sunday Monitor to the Force’s spokesperson for a comment on this matter.
Brig Gen Richard Karemire, the army spokesperson, said: “Article 208 that creates the UPDF clearly states that we are a non-partisan Force.”
Below are some of the MPs and how they intend to vote. Most say they will vote to lift the age limit, with those who are undecided and those who will vote to maintain the age limit clause balancing out.

FOR REMOVAL OF TERM LIMIT

Name Constituency
Aboud Kitatta Bukoto West
Adolf Mwesige Bunyangabu
Angella Fre Moroto Municipality
Angura Fredrick Tororo South
Aogon Silus Kumi Municipality
Arinaitwe Rwakajara Workers
Arinda Gordon Bushenyi-Ishaka
Asiku Elly Elias Koboko North
Kawooya Anifa Sembabule Woman
Bichetero Veronica Kaberamaido Woman
Galabuzi Denis Ssozi Busiro North
Evelyn Anite Koboko Municipality
Esther Anyankun Nakapitipiriti Woman
Driwaru Zaitun Yumbe Woman
Doreen Amule Amolatar Woman
Donozio Kahonda Ruhinda
David Bahati Ndorwa West
Connie Nakayenze Mbale Woman
Clement Ongaro Karach
Cissy Namujju Lwengo Woman
Guma Gumisiriza Ibanda
Herbert Kabafunzaki Rukiga
Ilukor Charles Kumi
Isiagi Opolot Kachumbala

Jackson Kafuuzi Kyaka
James Baba Koboko
James Kakooza Kabula
Jennifer Namuyangu Kibuku Woman
Judith Nabakooba Mityana Woman
Komuhangi Margaret Nakasongola Woman
Margaret Muhanga Burahya
Mariam Naigaga Namutumba Woman
Michael Tusiime Mbarara Municipality
Mukisa Robinah Namayingo Woman
Mulindwa Ssozi Isaac Lugazi Municipality
Nathan Itungo Kashari South
Simeo Nsubuga Kassanda South
Paula Turyahikayo Rubabo
Peter Ogwang Usuk
Pius Wakabi Bugahya
Raphael Magyezi Igara West
Ronald Kibuule Mukono North
Ruth Katusabe Bukomansimbi North
Simon Lokodo Dodoth West
Solomon Silwany Bukholi Central
Nyomera Stella Napaka Woman
Obiga Kania Terego East
Stephen Kangwagye Bukanga
Susan Amero Amuria Woman
Tumusiime Rosemary Entebbe
Twesigye John Bunyaruguru
Robina Nabanja Kibaale Woman
Lubyayi John Bosco Mawokota South
Mirembe Lydia Butambala Woman
Soyekwo Kenneth Tingey
Sebikali Yoweri Ntwetwe
Suubi Kyinyamatama Juliet Rakai District
Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi
Charles Engola Oyam North
Obiga Kania Terego East
Nokrach William PWDs Northern
Ninsiima Kasirabo Boaz Kooki
Nagwomu Moses Bunyole East
Mwine Mpaaka Youth Western
Baba Boliba James Koboko
Babirye Kityo Breeze Sarah Central, Youth
Bahati David Ndorwa West
Bakkabulindi Charles Workers
Balyeku Moses Grace Jinja West
Baryayanga Andrew Aja Kabale
Baryomunsi Chris Kinkizi East
Arinaitwe Katambuka Rwakajara Workers
Amongin Jacquiline Ngora
Amoru Paul Dokolo North
Amule Ruth Doreen Amolatar
Angella Fred Moroto Municipality
Anite Evelyn Koboko Municipality
Amero Susan Amuria
Amin Idi Taban Kibanda North
Akurut Violet Adome Katakwi
Ali Moses Adjumani West
Abiriga Ibrahim Arua Municipality
Achia Terence Naco Bokora
Achieng Sarah Opendi Tororo

AGAINST REMOVAL OF TERM LIMIT
Name Constituency
Mwijukye Francis Buhweju
Nandala Mafabi Budadiri West
Odonga Otto Aruu
Angelline Osegge Soroti
Ogenga Latigo Agago North
Odur Jonathan Erute South
Ocen Peter Kole South
Jack Wamai Wamanga Mbale
Reagan Okumu Aswa
Felix Okot Ogong Dokolo South
Gilbert Olanya Kilak
Alex Ruhunda Fort Portal
Benard Atiku Ayivu
Atim Ogwal Cecilia Barbara Dokolo
Aol Ocan Betty Gulu
Akello Silvia Otuke
Akol Anthony Kilak North
Acidiri James Maracha East
Adeke Anna Ebaju Youth, Eastern
Ajilo Elogu Maria Goretti Kaberamaido

UNDECIDED
Name Constituency
Peter Sematimba Busiro South
Okello Anthony Kioga
Annet Nyakecho Tororo North
Nabulindo Kwoba Jane Busia
Ababiku Jesca Adjumani
Abigaba Cuthbert Mirembe Kamwenge
Achen Christine Ayo Alebtong
Angundru Moses Terego West
Anyakun Davinia Esther Nakapiripirit
Anywarach Carter Joshua Padyere
Aogon Silas Kumi Municipality
Arinda Gordon Kakuuma Bushenyi
Atim Beatrice Anywar Kitgum
Bebona Babungi Josephine Bundibugyo
Baseke Fred Ntenjeru South
Bategeka N Lawrence Hoima Municipality
Bbumba Syda Nakaseke North
Baguma Spellanza Muhenda Kyenjojo

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