The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has implored Cabinet to hold discussions with the voters over the imminent lifting of the 75-year age limit cap for one to qualify as President of Uganda.
According to FDC deputy spokesperson Paul Mwiri, instead of the ministers issuing threats to those engaged in the debates, they should consult with the electorate before any move to amend Article 102 (b) of the Constitution that sets the age limit for presidency.
“Legislators should know who sent them to Parliament before taking a step or else they will be voted out of the House’’ Mwiru said at FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi.
He added: “Ugandans are angry about tampering with the constitution, before execution of what they call a big project of lifting the presidential age limit; they should first discuss and negotiate with voters who sent them to Parliament.
However, citing an example of activist William Ntege aka Kyuma kya Yesu, who accosted Kassanda South MP Simeo Nsubuga over the age limit removal, Mwiru, also a former MP, castigated those opposed to the age limit removal who have turned violent.
Last week, at the celebrations to mark Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s 24th coronation in Mityana, Kyuma kya Yesu physically attacked MP Nsubuga, a development that led to Cabinet to direct the police to act against those found in breach.
“In order to stop being attacked by other activists of Ntege’s calibre, legislators should vote out the lifting of the presidential age limit,” a seemingly angered Mwiru said.
And responding to the arrest of police officer Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Gilbert Arinaitwe who allegedly raped a girl, Mwiru said: “Those are the kind of people that are associated and used by president Museveni to execute his duties.”
Arinaitwe came to the limelight after the 2011 elections, when he smashed former FDC President Col. Kiiza Besigye’s vehicle at Mulago roundabout and later sprayed him with pepper, while the opposition icon was on his way to join in the ‘walk to Work’ protests.
“He (ASP Arinaitwe) was not arrested nor charged instead he was accorded security and this encouraged him to commit other crimes,” Mr. Mwiru said.
‘’Alinayitwe was cursed by Ugandans as col. Besigye forgave him and that prompted him to set up a church in Makindye’’ said FDC deputy spokesperson wondering why he still exist.
Meanwhile, the FDC has warned the Kibuku Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Margaret Wazitonya for stopping the elections aimed at filling vacant posts for the FDC officials in the area.
At the time Ms. Wazitonya said she and the police were not notified about the exercise.
Last week the party had to hold elections in among other districts Kibuku, Kabong, Rukiga and Yumbe. However, the party said it postponed the exercise due to lack of prior sensitization and mobilization.
