Born in 1944, Museveni who has ruled Uganda for more than 31 years will hit the limit before the next presidential election. However, the plan mooted by NRM legislators would allow Museveni to contest for the presidency at 77.

The NRM MPs’ move has drawn angry reactions from opposition MPs, who have threatened not to allow debate of the bill on the floor of parliament once tabled next week as scheduled.

NRM MPs say they are ready for the fight.

“I want to make it very clear to them again that you can not intimidate a ruling party. Because if you go looking for support, we don’t go looking for support. We’re the party in government. We have the support of the magyee [army]. I want to make it very clear that we’ve the support but that is not the martial that we want to use. This is a debate in the house.

A member of parliament’s role is to do legislation. That is why you see us ‘touch’ that Constitution. You cannot tell us T’ogikwatako [do not touch it], when that is my role. So you’re telling me; don’t do your job”, Anite said. 

Usuk County MP Peter Ogwang, another of the main proponents of the age limits removal, claims he will be glad to die a martyr while fighting for the removal of the provision. He says he does not fear to give the opposition his address, in case they want to fight him.

“I want to ask any of them if what we’re doing is not among the key fundamental principals which are in the Constitution? [If not] Then I would apologise to the country but if what we’re doing is within the four fundamental principals of the Constitution, then I want to state here categorically state that you stated that you wanted to burn our grandchildren, to kill our children. Actually we’re ready to provide you with addresses so that you don’t have to look for me, you go to my home and do it”, he said.

This is the first time that NRM MPs have officially come up with a position on the matter, though most of them have been promoting it individually. The move evokes memories of 12 years ago when the 7th parliament voted, on September 30, 2005, to amend Article 105 of the constitution to remove the two-term limit for the president.
 
Opposition members of parliament claim they are going to disorganise the house, and fight the process. The opposition MPs have also vowed to mobilise masses to isolate MPs supporting the amendment.

Robinah Nabbanja, a parliamentary commissioner and Kakumiro Woman MP (NRM), says death is meant for everyone and they cannot therefore be threatened by fellow MPs. She says they will stand by their decision to remove age limits no matter what.

Although it was much anticipated that a private member would today, Thursday, move a motion introducing the bill seeking to remove the age limits, URN has learnt that the NRM MPs are seeking to present the matter next week after a caucus meeting.
 
Kabula County MP James Kakooza, a proponent of the bill, says that the entire caucus has to agree or disagree with the intended amendment before they can bring it into the house for debate.
 
There has been a debate in Uganda on the possibility of NRM using numerical strength in parliament to push for the removal of age limits to allow President Museveni hold onto power when his current mandate expires in 2021.

‘DISHONOURABLE MEANS’

Addressing the media today, the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) a youth wing of the Democratic Party (DP) said little numbers in parliament is not excuse enough for opposition MPs not to fight the age limit amendment bill.

The youth said the opposition MPs can now resort to ‘dishonourable’ means such as tearing up the bill, heckling, standing on table since the majority NRM MPs have taken the ‘dishonourable’ route of amending the Constitution to favour a single individual, President Museveni.

Yesterday, Kampala Central MP, Muhammad Nsereko said they will do anything to stop the debate of the bill from taking place.

President Yoweri Museveni recently dismissed the age limit debate as rumours propagated by “people who don’t have what to do.”
 
“Those debating age limit, what are you debating? Who has brought that proposal? Don’t waste your time with people who don’t have what to do, I have heard them but I am busy with my work,” Museveni told journalists at State House, Entebbe. “I don’t have time for speculation,” he added.