Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has once again come out to throw his weight behind the proposed constitutional Presidential age limit saying it promotes inclusiveness. The Prime Minister said that removing age caps will allow Ugandans to choose leaders without legal restrictions.
While addressing a news conference on Wednesday at his office, Rugunda said he is “proudly supporting this move because it promotes inclusiveness in our politics” adding that any constitution should be “in conformity with the wishes of the people”.
Wednesday’s news conference was addressed by government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa, Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana, Information Minister Frank Tumwebaze and NRM caucus publicist Margaret Muhanga.
The contested Bill which was tabled on Tuesday by the Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi seeks to remove the minimum (35) and maximum (75) age requirements for one to qualify to run for Presidency.
The Prime Minister noted that the amendment will empower Ugandans to have greater authority in choosing leaders as opposed to being restricted by what he termed as rigid laws.
“In a multiparty dispensation, if any political party thinks a 76 year old can handle the current challenges facing the country or party, it would be insulting the wisdom of that party to restrict them,” he told journalists.
He went on to say that he law is not static and ought to cater for the dynamic changes that emerge.
“Our criterion in politics is to do something that we are convinced is in the interest of promoting the rights and widening the democratic horizons of Ugandans as well as safeguarding the stability of the country.”
As leader of Government business in Parliament, the Prime Minister said that government through Cabinet gave the Bill a green light.
Asked whether President Yoweri Museveni supports the Bill, the Prime Minister said; “The President has not said he doesn’t support the Bill, but it isn’t up to him but the people.”
“He [President] is a democrat and will support the direction that the people want,” Rugunda added.