6 MPs Suspended as Age Limit Debate Turns Chaotic

As the second reading of the contentious Bill on the removal of Presidential age limits commences, six Members of Parliament have been suspended for Monday’s afternoon session by the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga.

After procedural disagreements raised mainly by opposition MPs, Speaker Kadaga adjourned plenary to 2pm Monday afternoon. But she also suspends Makindye West MP, Allan Sewanyana, Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju, Ntungamo Municipality MP, Gerald Karuhanga and Kawempe South MP, Mubarak Munyagwa after the session turned chaotic.

Others who were suspended from taking part in the afternoon plenary are; Kilak North MP, Anthony Akol and Erute South MP, Jonathan Odur.

Moments ago, several MPs opposed to the Age Limit Bill had raised concerns on procedure, some suggesting that the Speaker halts the debate which they say is before the East African Court of Justice. Others including the Opposition Chief Whip, Semujju Nganda said they hand not received the report on the Bill on their iPads.

“What is happening is criminal. Tabling it on the floor of Parliament and not sending it to our iPads,” Semujju who was suspended had said earlier.

MP Munyagwa described the suspension as a “red card”.

“They are giving us red cards, we are going to have a meeting in the Office of the Opposition and decide if we will force our way into the afternoon session,”

Earlier on Lwemiyaga County legislator, Theodore Ssekikubo labelled MPs Akampulira and Akello Lily as mercenaries accusing them of signing the report yet they belong to more than a committee which he said is against the Parliament procedure.

He quoted Procedure 154 sub rule 1 which he said “member shall not belong to more than one committee yet members who signed the committee report belong to more than one”.

Gerald Karuhanga too questioned procedure stating that once the report is laid on table, the debate should ensue three days later. He said that by immediately indulging in the debate on the report would deprive legislators of time to internalize it.

“This rule was meant for us to analyse, assess the report and consult on the report because we represent the population”.

But Deputy Attorney General, Mwesigwa Rukutana moved a motion that rule 201 be suspended so that the debate proceeds.