Taxi drivers and bodaboda riders in Kampala have held a procession in the city to demonstrate their support for the removal of the Presidential age limit. The taxi drivers moved moments after NRM Members of Parliament passed a motion on Tuesday to scrap the constitutionally provided age cap for Presidential candidates.
Tuesday’s move by MPs sets off a process that is expected to culminate into President Yoweri Museveni running for President again in 2021.
A group of taxi drivers in Kampala under their Kampala Operation Stages Taxi Association (KoTSA) marched in the city centre to proclaim their support toward President Museveni’s stay in power.
“We want to show solidarity with President Museveni and the peace that we have,” KoTSA chairman Rashid Ssekindi told journalists.
The drivers said the constitutional age limit prevents potential leaders from standing for presidency after clocking 75 years.
Ssekindi further said; “Many people who are willing to lead the country but are above 75 years should be left to compete for presidency.”
The drivers who held placards with supportive messages argued that those who consider themselves strong contenders to President Museveni should challenge him in the election.
Later, close to a hundred boda boda riders joined in the procession across the city.
Tuesday’s march, however, turned violent when it was joined by groups of criminals who vandalised people on streets. It took the intervention of KoTSA leaders who denouced the gangs before normalcy returned.