The NRM Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa has revealed that the ruling party is set to launch a referendum campaign dubbed ‘M7 Non Stop’ that will rally support to extend the Presidential terms for two more years.
Nakabirwa who is also Kiboga district Woman MP made the revelation on Sunday while speaking to journalists during the Age Limit removal victory party that is underway in Kiboga district.
The party that is being held at the Saza grounds intends to appreciate the 317 NRM MPs that voted in favour of the removal of the constitutional Presidential age limit last year.
“We shall explain what we passed and what is remaining is doing everything possible to align the organs of government with the 7-year-term as it was passed for the Members of Parliament,” Nankabirwa told the press.
Nankabirwa said that the referendum has already been approved by Cabinet and the party only awaits the commencement of preparations by the Electoral Commission.
“We shall do it [extending President Museveni’s term] through a referendum. We shall start talking about a referendum which was passed by Cabinet and the EC should organize for the elections soon,” she said.
The NRM Chief Whip said that the party will be holding consultations with constituents across the country to seek the mandate of the electorate regarding the referendum.
Asked to justify the decision by MPs to extend their term from 5 to 7 years, Nankabirwa said; “What MPs did was in their mandate for the extension of their term.”
In December last year, Parliament passed the Bill to amend the constitution to repeal the upper President age limit of 75. Other clauses amended in the Bill was an extension of the tenure for Members of Parliament and elected Local Government leaders from 5 years to 7 years beginning with the serving leaders.
But in the case of the extension of the President’s term, this would require a referendum as required by the law.
However, the Opposition and a section of the public protested the amendment which they said was selfish on the part of the MPs. Some said that it was unconstitutional for MPs to unilaterally extend their term of office without the approval of the electorate who voted them on the basis of serving only five years.
President Yoweri Museveni has openly supported the proposal to extend his tenure to seven years saying African political leaders need more time to execute the enormous work.
Read More: “5 Year Election Term Isn’t Enough for African Leaders” – Museveni
While interfacing with the the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee last year, President Museveni said that the 5 year term for one to adequately do their job was “a joke” and that it only serves to benefit those who only want to renew their political CVs rather than cause an impact.