Aruu county legislator Samuel Odonga Otto has implored the the Finance State Minister for Investment and Privatization Evelyn Anite to apologise to Ugandans over remarks she reportedly made, interpreted to wit that protagonists of lifting the presidential age limit have the backing of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).
During the plenary chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, MP Odonga Otto said Anite should face the disciplinary committee of Parliament to apologize for her statements, also also be suspended from the House.
Last week Anite, the Woman MP for Koboko, was quoted as saying that the age limit removal protagonists would not succumb to intimidation and would instead, with the backing of the army, continue with plans to initiate the tabling of a private members bill to amend Article 102 (b) of the 1995 Constitution. The move that is supported by majority of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs is seen as aimed at having President Yoweri Museveni, who is the NRM Chairman, rule beyond the constitutional 75 years as enshrined in the 1995 Constitution.
Anite’s remarks have caused a flurry of reactions mostly by opposition MPs and sections of the populace, with the legislators including Odonga Otto baying for the Minister’s blood. “Evelyn Anite should be taken to disciplinary committee and suspended from Parliament for eight years without contesting,” Aruu county MP implored the Deputy Speaker.
But Oulanyah was quick to save Anite from the onslaught, telling Odonga Otto: I have no capacity to suspend a legislator.”
However, the issue had not been put to rest, and given chance the Koboko Woman MP shot back: “Odonga Otto was drunk, it was alcohol which was speaking.” Anite added: “MPs (antagonists) should know that we are the ones in charge; you cannot tell us ‘Tojjiikwatako’ (don’t dare amend article 102 b) when it is our job, It is like telling us not to do our job.”
Meanwhile a private members bill was expected to be tabled during today’s plenary by the Igara West legislator Raphael Magyezi has been deferred, and the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is expected to pronounce herself on the matter next week.
The development following a closed door consultation meeting between Kadaga and Oulanyah, with the latter reportedly telling his boss that there a lot of petitions challenging the lifting of the presidential age limit cap that stands at 75 years.
