You are among the few legislators who have publicly called for the removal of Article 102, even though parliament’s leadership has barred legislators from discussing this matter.
As an MP, nobody is going to stop me from doing my work. The law permits me to even move a motion or bill; so, yes, even if the matter has not been brought to the House, it is a matter of national concern. We cannot pretend as far as the law is concerned.
It is public knowledge that President Museveni will not be eligible to stand in line with the provisions of the Constitution. So, the deputy speaker telling us that we should not discuss such a matter; I think it is my right to discuss any matter of national concern.
Aren’t you being defiant?
I don’t think there is anyone who can gag me from speaking on something which is good for the peace and stability of this country. Do I believe that I should come out and support it? Yes.
The history of this country is very clear on where we came from. I was born in 1983, three years before the NRM took over power in 1986. Every time I sit down with my mother and my elders, they remind me about the history of this country.
I have grown up with this government, seen what they have done and I am beginning to believe that the future seems to be bright. For instance, the freedom of expression we have today, it is this government which has ushered it in.
The economy which we are boasting about is under the leadership of this government. Democracy is under this government. Peace and stability, which is very core, is because of the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. So now, what do we feel that he needs to do?
In the NRM, we have four core principles: nationalism, socio-economic transformation, democracy and pan-Africanism. The problem of Uganda is not age but having good leaders who can help this country.
You can be 65,you can be 35 but you can fail to be a good leader and mismanage a country. What we need are consolidation of the existing programmes and some of the issues I am looking at critically for now and the future is peace and stability and I am 100 per cent convinced that Museveni has done it excellently.
I am happy a law firm from Soroti has gone to court over this. As an MP, I sought to uphold the Constitution; so, I cannot sit here and just look at provisions in the Constitution which are unlawful.
Unlawful in what sense?
Look at Article 32 of the Constitution. It is very clear. You cannot discriminate people on age and sex. I was not there when they were writing the Constitution. I must have been in primary school. Such must be made clear to the people.
So, if court rules that the provision is unconstitutional, as an MP, my role is to realign the law in line with the ruling.
Secondly, we must look at regional integration which we urgently need. As Uganda, we need the East African political federation. With South Sudan joining the EAC, we are now the size of India. We used to do a lot of business with South Sudan and our economy was growing but due to the problems there, we were affected.
So what do we need? We need a pillar and a personality like Museveni to realise the integration. The late Julius Nyerere was one of the core advocates of integration but he is no more.
Now today we are privileged that we have got Yoweri Museveni. We are not saying he will not leave power. Let me tell you that Uganda needs Museveni more. He is not looking for a job. At his age, he fought and liberated us.
You are 34 years and part of the largely youthful population. Shouldn’t you be pushing for one of your own to take up the mantle of leadership?
Let me put this on record. The amendment must also, and I will propose this, lower the age for those young people to be allowed to stand, as long as you are a voter.
Why should the law bar you from standing for presidency? You cannot say scrap the upper age limit above and leave the lower one. The most important thing is the people. Why should you limit choices in terms of age?
For me, the amendment should also cater for 18 years as long as you satisfy the conditions of the Electoral Commission.
Recently, one of your colleagues, Simeo Nsubuga, was attacked by a citizen over his strong views on the age limit…
I want to tell the opposition that the habit of intimidation is uncalled for. By the way, the reason we still want Museveni is that you can abuse him, you can disagree with him but he cannot harm you.
Imagine if opposition was in power and they disagree with us on some of the ideas they feel are not correct. Now they are employing intimidation but I am warning them that they should not try me.
This is not the way of looking for support. If you see someone beginning to intimidate, know they have failed. Why attack Hon Simeo? If you think you are popular, why intimidate? It is very unfortunate and because of these attacks, the undecided will not support them.
So, if Museveni leaves power, should we go to exile because of our views? That is why I say I would rather be ruled by one lion than 100 rats? Some of these elements in the opposition will take us back to where we came from.
If they cannot tolerate me when I am in government, what will they do when they are in power? Let them know that they do not have the monopoly of intimidation. They should stand warned.
As a representative of the people, have you consulted them on this matter?
The county I represent has had its peculiar challenges and the biggest of them has been insecurity for our lives and property.
I can guarantee you that the reason the people of Usuk and Katakwi district have been voting for the NRM is because of security. That is the reason my people tell me they will always support Museveni.
Also, there are existing programmes which were pledged by the NRM in the 1996 manifesto. Before we were crying over the road from Soroti up to Moroto, it is being worked on.
We wanted electricity, clean water, schools and health centers but they are now there. What is left which President Museveni promised is compensation of our cows, which were taken away due to insecurity.
