Age limit bill: Many MPs still undecided
- Written by OLIVE EYOTARU & JOSEPHINE NAMULOKI
At least 53 MPs so far surveyed are not decided on whether they will vote for the removal of the presidential age limit.
The Observer surveyed 106 MPs out of 431 minus the ex-officio legislators. The Observer reported on June 3 that the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (2017), which contains article 102 (b) was due to be gazetted in The Uganda Gazette.
Then Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, told The Observer that all articles will be up for amendment including 102 (b) which spells out the upper and lower age-limit for one to stand for president.
We talked to 72 out of the 294 NRM MPs and 43 of these told us that they were still undecided. Fourteen NRM legislators said they would support the amendment while 15 are opposed to it.
For the undecided ones, some preferred a referendum and more time to consult with their constituents. Margaret Babadiri (Koboko Woman NRM) said her decision will depend on her voters, opining that she has been in Parliament for five terms and if she opposed the lifting of the age limit, other people will wonder why she is also still in parliament.
Some of the undecided MPs, who requested to speak anonymously, said they wanted to play it safe. Within the opposition parties, majority of MPs surveyed opposed any plans to amend article 102 (b), which provides for the 75-year cap for presidential candidates.
Of the nine out of 35 FDC MPs interviewed for the survey, seven opposed the lifting of the age limit while two were undecided.
They are Nabilah Sempala Naggayi, the Kampala woman MP, and Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe South legislator.
“Nobody should think for themselves. The person who wants to change this article is selfish. Where we are, we are brewing trouble. Of the 35 million people we have, there is a leader awaiting to ascend to the presidency. Ugandans must be given an opportunity to see another leader,” Angellina Osegge (Soroti Woman, FDC) said.
All the DP MPs we spoke to opposed the age limit removal. Paulson Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South, DP) said changing the Constitution to support the whims of an individual is selfish and reeks of failure by President Museveni to groom a successor.
“The president told us years back that after 75 years, a person may not serve diligently. Therefore, he should take his own advice and leave peacefully,” Luttamaguzi said.
Richard Othieno (West Budama North MP, NRM), who supports the removal of the age limit; said age is not a fair way of limiting people’s access leadership.
“Age is wisdom and I don’t see why we should start discriminating. Why would an MP remain contesting at 80 years of age but not the president?” Othieno said.
|
NRM/Independent/ Opposition MPs |
Yes/No/Undecided |
|
Robert Ntende (Bunya South, Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South, FDC) |
Undecided |
|
Deogratious Kiyingi (Bukomansimbi, DP) |
No |
|
Cuthbert Abigaba (Kibale County, NRM) |
Yes |
|
Joshua Anywarach (Padyere, Ind) |
No |
|
Kato Lubwama (Rubaga South, Ind) |
No |
|
Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South, FDC) |
No |
|
Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Municipality, Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Matthias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality, DP) |
No |
|
Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality, Ind) |
No |
|
Zaitun Driwaru (Yumbe Woman, Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri, FDC) |
No |
|
Fred Turyamuhweza (Rujumbura, FDC) |
No |
|
Lily Adong (Nwoya Woman, Ind) |
No |
|
Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo South, NRM) |
No |
|
MP Buganda sub region, NRM |
No |
|
Janet Okori Moe (Abim Woman, NRM) |
No |
|
Dorothy Nzairwe (Kamwenge Woman, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Betty Aol (Gulu Woman, FDC) |
No |
|
Micheal Timuzigu, (Kajara, NRM) |
No |
|
Edward Ssembatya (Katikamu South NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Charles Angiro (Erute North, FDC) |
No |
|
Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East, Ind) |
No |
|
James Kakooza (Kabula, Ind) |
Yes |
|
Isaac Etuka (Upper Madi Okollo NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Catherine Doreen Oketayot (Pader Woman NRM) |
No |
|
Geoffrey Dhamuzungu (Budiope East NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Simeo Nsubuga (Kassanda South NRM) |
Yes |
|
Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (Kassanda North NRM) |
No |
|
John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya NRM) |
No |
|
Moses Angundru (Terego West NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Gordon Bafaki (Kazo NRM) |
Yes |
|
Paul Amoru (Dokolo North NRM) |
Yes |
|
Fred Baseke (Ntenjeru South NRM) |
Undecided |
|
James Waluswaka (Bunyole East NRM) |
Yes |
|
Rosemary Nauwat (Amudat Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Hellen Adoa (Soroti Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Fred Baseke (Ntenjeru South NRM) |
Undecided |
|
MP Ankole sub region NRM |
No |
|
MP Busoga sub region NRM |
No |
|
Christine Achen (Alebtong Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality, Ind) |
Undecided |
|
John Bosco Lubyayi (Mawokota South NRM) |
No |
|
Abraham Byandala (Katikamu North NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Amos Lugoloobi (Ntenjeru North NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Jovah Kamateeka (Mitooma Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Hillary Lokwang (Ik NRM) |
Yes |
|
Ibrahim Abiriga (Arua Municipality NRM) |
Yes |
|
Jalia Bintu (Masindi Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central-Ind) |
No |
|
Juliet Kyinyamatama (Rakai Woman NRM) |
Yes |
|
Ashraf Olega (Aringa NRM) |
Yes |
|
Godfrey Onzima (Aringa North NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Onesmus Twinamatsiko (Bugangaizi East-Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Peter Mugema Panadol (Iganga Municipality NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Aston Kajara (Mwenge South NRM) |
Undecided |
|
John Baptist Lokii (Matheniko NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Veronica Kadogo (Buyende Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Godfrey Kiwanda (Mityana North NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (Kasambya NRM) |
No |
|
Denis Hamson Obua (Ajuri NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Pentagon Kamusiime (Butemba, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Judith Alyek (Kole Woman, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Richard Oseku Oriebo (Kibale, NRM) |
No |
|
Sylvia Akello (Otuke Woman, NRM) |
No |
|
Stephen Mukitale (Buliisa, Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Esther Davinia Anyakun (Nakapiripirit Woman, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Patrick Kasumba (Bujenje, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Baryayanga Aja (Kabale Municipality, Ind) |
No |
|
Robert Musoke (Budiope West, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Terence Sodium Achia (Bokora, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Richard Othieno (West Budama North, NRM) |
Yes |
|
James Acidri (Maracha East, NRM) |
No |
|
Rose Mutonyi Masaaba (Bubulo West, NRM) |
Yes |
|
Phillip Okin Ojara (Chua West, Ind) |
No |
|
Angeline Osegge (Soroti Woman, FDC) |
No |
|
Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga (Mukono South, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Paulson Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South, DP) |
No |
|
Oscar Omony (Northern Youth, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Medard Ssegona (Busiro East, DP) |
No |
|
Joseph Ssekabiito Kitayimbwa (Mawogola, NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Nabilah Sempala (Kampala Woman, FDC) |
Undecided |
|
Ismail Orot (Kanyum MP NRM) |
Yes |
|
Judith Franca Akello (Agago Woman FDC) |
No |
|
Margret Baba Diri (Koboko Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Jacob Opolot (Pallisa MP Ind) |
Undecided |
|
Moses Walyomu (Kagoma MP NRM) |
Yes |
|
Mwiine Mpaka (Western Youth MP NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Margaret Lamwaka (Kitgum Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Robinah Mukisa (Namayingo Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Jastine Ayebazibwe (Isingiro Woman NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Charles Illukor (Kumi MP NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Gordon Arinda Kakuuma (Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Lyandro Komakech (Gulu Municipality DP) |
No |
|
Alioni Yorke Odria (Aringa South MP Indep) |
Undecided |
|
Fredrick Angura (Tororo South MP NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Stephen Dede Mayende (Bukooli South NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Allan Sewanyana (Makindye West DP) |
No |
|
Joseph Sewungu Gonzaga (Kalungu West DP) |
No |
|
Moses Kasibante (Rubaga South Ind) |
No |
|
Denis Lee Oguzu (Maracha FDC) |
No |
|
Safia Nalule (PWDs National NRM) |
Undecided |
|
James Baba (Koboko NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Julius Acon (Otuke NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Moses Balyeku (Jinja West NRM) |
Undecided |
|
Ongalo Obote (Kalaki, NRM) |
No |
|
Peter Ogwang (Usuk NRM) |
Yes |
Comments
[Political Prostitution is not the phrase I would normally use for our MPs. Please attribute that Key Phrase to the original appropriate source].