Museveni Backs Age Limit Bill, Cautions Against Use of Bribes

Government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa has revealed that the President Yoweri Museveni has given his support to the proposal by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi to amend the constitution and remove the age cap for Presidency.

The President on Friday attended a parliamentary caucus meeting for NRM MPs who are backing the amendment.

While speaking to journalists on the outcomes of the closed meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister, Nankabirwa who chairs the caucus said Museveni “has informed caucus members that he is in support of the cabinet decision [to remove the age limit]”

If Article 102 (b) of the constitution which stipulates that a President can not serve beyond age 75 is amended, President Museveni who is 73 years old now will be eligible to extend his Presidency.

“We had never met him as cabinet ever since we took such a decision as cabinet and he has informed caucus members that he is in support of the cabinet decision,” Nankabirwa said.

Asked why the President recently termed members who were involved in the age limit debate as idlers, Nankabirwa said, “At that time that was his view and he was concentrating on the 23 policy guidelines but he has now come out to support the position of cabinet to support Magyezi’s private members bill”.

Museveni has warned NRM MPs who are yet to embark on consultations within their constituencies on the Bill against giving out money to people.

“He told us to be careful and only see how we can cater for people’s facilitation, refreshments, venue hiring and the public address system.”

Nankabirwa says that NRM shall not hold rallies while consulting but rather hold meets with NRM party structures, local government leaders and opinion leaders

The legislators will be using the services and achievements of the NRM government to popularise the amendment