‘Age Limit’ Bill Tabled, Speaker Wants Public Consulted

The Constitution Amendment No.2 Bill 2017 seeking to remove the Presidential age limit among other reforms has been read for the first time and sent to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee chaired by West Budama MP, Jacob Oboth Oboth.

The controversial Bill was tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi has since its introduction received a lot of resistance from a section of the public and opposition political parties.

They say it is a scheme to help president Museveni stand for another term in 2021 who is in his mid-70s.

But Magyezi has argued that scrapping the Presidential age limit is only a part of several other much needed electoral related reforms some of which were recommended by the Supreme Court. He also says that the amendments don’t intend to favor Museveni but everyone else beyond the age of 75.

“I beg to lay on table the Bill titled, The Constitution Amendment Bill 2017 accompanied with the Certificate of Financial implications as provided under section 36 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 our rules of procedure Rule 107,” Magyezi said.

The Bill will then be processed by the committee and after several consultations are made a report shall be tabled before the house for the Bill?s second reading.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga appealed to members to ensure that the general public is consulted on the bill since they have a stake.

“I want to remind you members that this matter touches Article 1 and 2 of the Constitution and the people must be involved in these deliberations,” Kadaga said.

In other provisions, Magyezi’s Bill intends to amend article 61 (a) to provide for the time within which to hold presidential, Parliamentary and local council elections.

Amendment of Article 183 (2)(b) providing for eligibility of District Chairperson in terms of age as well as increasing the number of days within which to file and determine a presidential election petition under Article 104 (2) and (3).