President Museveni says many members of the opposition are up for sale as a debate on constitutional amendments that seek to, among other things, remove the presidential age limits is about to begin in parliament takes shape.
Addressing mourners, Museveni last evening while visiting Late Sebaana Kizito’s family to condole with them claimed that opposition to the ruling NRM party just focused on eating and referred to them as political prostitutes who sell themselves to willing buyers, reechoing government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa’s earlier statements.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafiire has been in the limelight for allegedly leading the push to scrap the age limit cap for presidential candidates in the constitution, which some say is essentially meant to pave way for President Museveni’s long stay in power. Museveni will be above 75 years at the expiry of his current term, which makes him ineligible to contest for presidency without the removal of the age limit from the constitution.
Mr Museveni has been accused of duping Ugandans that he was not interested in the removal of term limits from the constitution but turned around to bribe MPs to pass the proposal. For the current scheme to keep him in power, word has it that each member of parliament will receive Shs300 million to support Gen Kahinda Otafiire’s move.
On 8th June, government notified in the Uganda Gazette, the official publication of the country, that it was bringing to the floor of Parliament the Constitution Amendment Bill. While the contents of the bill are not yet public, sources close to both cabinet and the justice ministry say the amendment on article 102 has been a topic of discussion but may not be brought to the floor of Parliament just yet.
However, the Democratic Party (DP) president, Norbert Mao who was also present at the late Ssebana’s vigil, said in March that Mr Museveni is interested in the removal of the age limits to allow him become president for life.
He argues that NRM has no alternative to succeed Mr Museveni who has been in power for over 30 years now that is why they are plotting to remove the age limit to enable him stand again.
According to Mr Mao, Ugandans should continue discussing the political transition and avoid being diverted by Mr Museveni that he is not interested in the matter.
