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Age limit bill: Many MPs still undecided

At least 53 MPs so far surveyed are not decided on whether they will vote for the removal of the presidential age limit.

The Observer surveyed 106 MPs out of 431 minus the ex-officio legislators. The Observer reported on June 3 that the Constitution (Amendment) Bill (2017), which contains article 102 (b) was due to be gazetted in The Uganda Gazette.

Then Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, told The Observer that all articles will be up for amendment including 102 (b) which spells out the upper and lower age-limit for one to stand for president.

We talked to 72 out of the 294 NRM MPs and 43 of these told us that they were still undecided. Fourteen NRM legislators said they would support the amendment while 15 are opposed to it.

For the undecided ones, some preferred  a referendum and more time to consult with their constituents. Margaret Babadiri (Koboko Woman NRM) said her decision will depend on her voters, opining that she has been in Parliament for five terms and if she opposed the lifting of the age limit, other people will wonder why she is also still in parliament.

Some of the undecided MPs, who requested to speak anonymously, said they wanted to play it safe. Within the opposition parties, majority of MPs surveyed opposed any plans to amend article 102 (b), which provides for the 75-year cap for presidential candidates.

Of the nine out of 35 FDC MPs interviewed for the survey, seven opposed the lifting of the age limit while two were undecided.

They are Nabilah Sempala Naggayi, the Kampala woman MP, and Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe South legislator.

“Nobody should think for themselves. The person who wants to change this article is selfish. Where we are, we are brewing trouble. Of the 35 million people we have, there is a leader awaiting to ascend to the presidency. Ugandans must be given an opportunity to see another leader,” Angellina Osegge (Soroti Woman, FDC) said.

All the DP MPs we spoke to opposed the age limit removal. Paulson Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South, DP) said changing the Constitution to support the whims of an individual is selfish and reeks of failure by President Museveni to groom a successor.

“The president told us years back that after 75 years, a person may not serve diligently. Therefore, he should take his own advice and leave peacefully,” Luttamaguzi said.

Richard Othieno (West Budama North MP, NRM), who supports the removal of the age limit; said age is not a fair way of limiting people’s access leadership.

“Age is wisdom and I don’t see why we should start discriminating. Why would an MP remain contesting at 80 years of age but not the president?” Othieno said.

NRM/Independent/ Opposition MPs

Yes/No/Undecided

Robert Ntende (Bunya South, Ind)

Undecided

Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South, FDC)

Undecided

Deogratious Kiyingi (Bukomansimbi, DP)

No

Cuthbert Abigaba (Kibale County, NRM)

Yes

Joshua Anywarach (Padyere, Ind)

No

Kato Lubwama (Rubaga South, Ind)

No

Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South, FDC)

No

Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Municipality, Ind)

Undecided

Matthias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality, DP)

No

Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality, Ind)

No

Zaitun Driwaru (Yumbe Woman, Ind)

Undecided

Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri, FDC)

No

Fred Turyamuhweza (Rujumbura, FDC)

No

Lily Adong (Nwoya Woman, Ind)

No

Felix Okot Ogong (Dokolo South, NRM)

No

MP Buganda sub region, NRM

No

Janet Okori Moe (Abim Woman, NRM)

No

Dorothy Nzairwe (Kamwenge Woman, NRM)

Undecided

Betty Aol (Gulu Woman, FDC)

No

Micheal Timuzigu, (Kajara, NRM)

No

Edward Ssembatya (Katikamu South NRM)

Undecided

Charles Angiro (Erute North, FDC)

No

Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East, Ind)

No

James Kakooza (Kabula, Ind)

Yes

Isaac Etuka (Upper Madi Okollo NRM)

Undecided

Catherine Doreen Oketayot (Pader Woman NRM)

No

Geoffrey Dhamuzungu (Budiope East NRM)

Undecided

Simeo Nsubuga (Kassanda South NRM)

Yes

Patrick Nsamba Oshabe (Kassanda North NRM)

No

John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya NRM)

No

Moses Angundru (Terego West NRM)

Undecided

Gordon Bafaki (Kazo NRM)

Yes

Paul Amoru (Dokolo North NRM)

Yes

Fred Baseke (Ntenjeru South NRM)

Undecided

James Waluswaka (Bunyole East NRM)

Yes

Rosemary Nauwat (Amudat Woman NRM)

Undecided

Hellen Adoa (Soroti Woman NRM)

Undecided

Fred Baseke (Ntenjeru South NRM)

Undecided

MP Ankole sub region NRM

No

MP Busoga sub region NRM

No

Christine Achen (Alebtong Woman NRM)

Undecided

Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality, Ind)

Undecided

John Bosco Lubyayi (Mawokota South NRM)

No

Abraham Byandala (Katikamu North NRM)

Undecided

Amos Lugoloobi (Ntenjeru North NRM)

Undecided

Jovah Kamateeka (Mitooma Woman NRM)

Undecided

Hillary Lokwang (Ik NRM)

Yes

Ibrahim Abiriga (Arua Municipality NRM)

Yes

Jalia Bintu (Masindi Woman NRM)

Undecided

Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central-Ind)

No

Juliet Kyinyamatama (Rakai Woman NRM)

Yes

Ashraf Olega (Aringa NRM)

Yes

Godfrey Onzima (Aringa North NRM)

Undecided

Onesmus Twinamatsiko (Bugangaizi East-Ind)

Undecided

Peter Mugema Panadol (Iganga Municipality NRM)

Undecided

Aston Kajara (Mwenge South NRM)

Undecided

John Baptist Lokii (Matheniko NRM)

Undecided

Veronica Kadogo (Buyende Woman NRM)

Undecided

Godfrey Kiwanda (Mityana North NRM)

Undecided

Mbwatekamwa Gaffa  (Kasambya NRM)

No

Denis Hamson Obua (Ajuri NRM)

Undecided

Pentagon Kamusiime (Butemba, NRM)

Undecided

Judith Alyek (Kole Woman, NRM)

Undecided

Richard Oseku Oriebo (Kibale, NRM) 

No

Sylvia Akello (Otuke Woman, NRM)

No

Stephen Mukitale (Buliisa, Ind)

Undecided

Esther Davinia Anyakun (Nakapiripirit Woman, NRM)

Undecided

Patrick Kasumba (Bujenje, NRM)

Undecided

Baryayanga Aja (Kabale Municipality, Ind)

No

Robert Musoke (Budiope West, NRM)

Undecided

Terence Sodium Achia (Bokora, NRM)

Undecided

Richard Othieno (West Budama North, NRM)

Yes

James Acidri (Maracha East, NRM)

No

Rose Mutonyi Masaaba (Bubulo West, NRM)

Yes

Phillip Okin Ojara (Chua West, Ind)

No

Angeline Osegge (Soroti Woman, FDC)

No

Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga (Mukono South, NRM)

Undecided

Paulson Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South, DP)

No

Oscar Omony (Northern Youth, NRM)

Undecided

Medard Ssegona (Busiro East, DP)

No

Joseph Ssekabiito Kitayimbwa (Mawogola, NRM)

Undecided

Nabilah Sempala (Kampala Woman, FDC)

Undecided

Ismail Orot (Kanyum MP NRM)

Yes

Judith Franca Akello (Agago Woman FDC)

No

Margret Baba Diri (Koboko Woman NRM)

Undecided

Jacob Opolot (Pallisa MP Ind)

Undecided

Moses Walyomu (Kagoma MP NRM)

Yes

Mwiine Mpaka (Western Youth MP NRM)

Undecided

Margaret Lamwaka (Kitgum Woman NRM)

Undecided

Robinah Mukisa (Namayingo Woman NRM)

Undecided

Jastine Ayebazibwe (Isingiro Woman NRM)

Undecided

Charles Illukor (Kumi MP NRM)

Undecided

Gordon Arinda Kakuuma (Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality NRM)

Undecided

Lyandro Komakech (Gulu Municipality DP)

No

Alioni Yorke Odria (Aringa South MP Indep)

Undecided

Fredrick Angura (Tororo South MP NRM)

Undecided

Stephen Dede Mayende (Bukooli South NRM)

Undecided

Allan Sewanyana (Makindye West DP)

No

Joseph Sewungu Gonzaga (Kalungu West DP)

No

Moses Kasibante (Rubaga South Ind)

No

Denis Lee Oguzu (Maracha FDC)

No

Safia Nalule (PWDs National NRM)

Undecided

James Baba (Koboko NRM)

Undecided

Julius Acon (Otuke NRM)

Undecided

Moses Balyeku (Jinja West NRM)

Undecided

Ongalo Obote (Kalaki, NRM)

No

Peter Ogwang (Usuk NRM)

Yes

 

Comments

0 #1 Gwok 2017-07-12 09:10
"Age limit bill: Many MPs still undecided ...." For undecided, read "not yet prostituted".

[Political Prostitution is not the phrase I would normally use for our MPs. Please attribute that Key Phrase to the original appropriate source].
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0 #2 Lakwena 2017-07-12 10:49
In other words, because of uncertainty, personal incompetence and blinding greed; the undecided MPs are like the Luo proverbial Hyena, who is confused by the split panya/path or trial (yo aryo orwenyo Lalu).
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