Members of Parliament begin official consultations for the age removal tomorrow, the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ugandan Parliament, Chris Obore, has said.
According to Mr. Obore, the Ministry of Finance released Shs13 billion and each of the MPs will get Shs29 million for the two-week exercise, the result of a private members bill peddled by Igara West Raphael Magyezi that is aimed at lifting presidential age limit, capped at 75 years as per the 1995 Constitution of Uganda.
“Each MP will receive Shs.29m and consultations will take place from October 25 to November 8, 2017, Obore was quoted as saying.
The ‘Magyezi Bill’ which is currently under the legal and parliamentary affairs committee has elicited mixed feelings within the general public, with arguments that Article 102 (b) of the Constitution should be maintained to ensure the peaceful transition of power.
And, two weeks ago opposition MPs, without facilitation, commenced joint consultative meetings after a green light from Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, but most of the meetings have since been disrupted by police.
Indeed, MPs like Kato Lubwama and the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, were among others arrested last week for the ‘Kogikwatako campaign’ that is aimed at maintaining Article 102(b) of the Constitution.
However, due to public outcry involving accusations of partisan practice leveled against the police, the latter has since ‘lifted the ban’ and now says MPs will be allowed to campaign jointly in other constituencies upon notifying police for clearance.
