Tension remains high as the country eagerly awaits the second reading of the controversial Age Limit Bill in Parliament today.
Legal affairs committee chaired by Hon. Jacob Oboth was expected to present their findings to the house last week only to remain at the business to follow stage.
However, the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga stated that it was to be presented today. A copy of the order of business for plenary for today, Monday 18 December, includes the Second Reading of Constitution Amendment No.2 Bill 2017.
The order further stipulates that the Committee will table the report on the Bill to the whole House and later a motion for adoption of the report.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the lawmakers were notified to appear in the house today at 9am, as the committee will be presenting its report.
Security at Parliament and some parts of the city is tight, amid threats of failing the process by some opposition activists.
The Age Limit Bill seeks to remove the lower 35 years and maximum 75 years age caps for one to be President of Uganda, which its proponents say are discriminatory.
If passed, the law will allow incumbent President Yoweri Museveni to stand for a sixth consecutive term come 2021.
Several political analysts project not many MPs will resist the passing of this particular Bill since the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has the majority legislators in Parliament.
A recent poll conducted by Citizens’ Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) indicated that only 3 out of the 80 constituencies in Uganda that were consulted on the proposed amendment, supported the removal of age limits while the rest were against it.
The poll engaged a total of 50,429 citizens, 22,926 of whom were female and 27,503 males.
85% of respondents opposed the removal of age limits while 15% supported it. The Eastern region polled the highest (95%) in terms of opposition of the Bill while the Central region polled the highest in support (34%).
In Igara West constituency, which the mover of the Bill, Raphael Magyezi represents in Parliament, 88% opposed the amendment while 12% supported it.
