By Jackson Kitara July 16, 2017
Gulu
Young people in Acholi Sub region have protested the move to amend the constitution to lift the presidential age limit.
Kenneth Nyeko, former councilor 5 Ongako Sub County asked members of parliament not to amend the constitution because it will deter Ugandans from seeing a peaceful transition of power.
“I appeals to people who are pushing for the amendment of Article 102(b) of the constitution of Uganda to lift the age limit not to infringe the principal of constitution of Uganda”, Nyeko said.
Nyeko while addressing the press conference at Northern Uganda media club (NUMEC) Gulu on Friday
According to article 102 (b) of the 1995 constitution, the age limit for a Ugandan to contest for top most of the country is 75 years
Ever since reports filtered in that the government has gazetted amendment of Article 102(b) of the Constitution that pegs the upper presidential age limit at 75 years, an acrimonious debate ensued between those for and against.
As it stands, President Yoweri Museveni, aged 73 years now, would be ineligible to stand in the 2021 presidential elections because he would be above 75 years, a situation some of his supporters do not want.
The former councilor says as youth they want to see peaceful co-existence and transfer of power in Uganda, but not to entrance monarchy politic in Uganda
Nyeko said parliamentarians should not subject the amendment to debate in the floor of parliament; saying that parliament by way of resolution can subject the citizens into referendum which is not worthy.
“Citizens are not complaining of the age limit currently capped at 75 years, but only greedy MPs that have taken the responsibility from the public that are misrepresenting population that has elected them are the one pushing for their selfish interest”, he remarked.
Peter Langwen, councilor 4 Library parish in Gulu municipality said they are not against president Museveni contesting 2021 general election, but any candidate who is above 75 years should not contest in the coming general election.
“Museveni has done his part; people must appreciate him because even the best dancer leaves stage. MPs should instead put pressure to restore a two term limit for the president”, Langwen said
Moses Laker, the Personal Assistant to Gulu Municipality MP Lyandro Komakech says the parliament has been reduced to a cash minting institution because of greedy MPS
“Parliament of Uganda has been reduced to small institution where you pay as you go by greedy MPs, they come up with move to amend the constitution to lift the presidential age limit to get money from the president”, he said.
Laker said there many issues more than the age limit that government and parliament should tackle like land issues, education, health, agriculture among others
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