Two days to end third term debate
Jun 23, 2005
JUST two days debate remains before Parliament votes on the Constitutional Amendment No.3 to lift term limits for a president.
By vision reporters
JUST two days debate remains before Parliament votes on the Constitutional Amendment No.3 to lift term limits for a president.
With Movement MPs, assured of the majority and looking forward to Tuesday, when a vote that will almost seal the ‘third term’ will be taken, the opposition legislators say their hope is that reason will prevail.
Odonga Otto (Aruu) appealed to MPs to be cautious. “You are going to open doors for the military option of getting to State House,†the youthful MP said.
Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said President Yoweri Museveni’s ascendance and maintenance of power had been expensive, through bloodshed.
“If the current manipulation and blockade is not checked, we will also look for our Mambas to protect ourselves,†he said referring to an FDC rally blocked by Mambas and tanks in Gulu recently.
He said term limits were still virgin, the future uncertain and that “it is dangerous to amend the Constitution with a mindset of an individual.â€
John Arumadri (Madi Okolo) said, “Right and wrong, good and evil cannot be determined by numbers. The many will prevail, while some of us will use our conscience. We shall carry our decisions to our graves and history will judge whether we did right for our children,†he said.
Anang Odur (Kwania) said term limits could bring about a healthy political atmosphere.
He said, “In 1980 people in Nyabushozi did not believe that Museveni was a good leader. It was only after he became president that we learnt that he was good.â€
Ben Etonu (Amuria) said in the Constituent Assembly, they called for a flexible Constitution.
Muntuyera Nuwagaba (Kajara) said 65% of his constituents approve of lifting the term limits. “If people took a decision 10 years ago and they have now changed their minds, I wouldn’t be surprised. Nothing is constant except change.â€
Public service state minister Okumu Ringa Deusdedit Bikwasizehi (Buhweju), Ruth Tuma (Jinja) Moses Lubowa (Budiope), Badhul Katongole (Kyaka), Margaret Baba-Diri (PWDs) and John Kigyaji (Mbarara Municipality) supported lifting of term limits.
Related story on Page 5
JUST two days debate remains before Parliament votes on the Constitutional Amendment No.3 to lift term limits for a president.
With Movement MPs, assured of the majority and looking forward to Tuesday, when a vote that will almost seal the ‘third term’ will be taken, the opposition legislators say their hope is that reason will prevail.
Odonga Otto (Aruu) appealed to MPs to be cautious. “You are going to open doors for the military option of getting to State House,†the youthful MP said.
Reagan Okumu (Aswa) said President Yoweri Museveni’s ascendance and maintenance of power had been expensive, through bloodshed.
“If the current manipulation and blockade is not checked, we will also look for our Mambas to protect ourselves,†he said referring to an FDC rally blocked by Mambas and tanks in Gulu recently.
He said term limits were still virgin, the future uncertain and that “it is dangerous to amend the Constitution with a mindset of an individual.â€
John Arumadri (Madi Okolo) said, “Right and wrong, good and evil cannot be determined by numbers. The many will prevail, while some of us will use our conscience. We shall carry our decisions to our graves and history will judge whether we did right for our children,†he said.
Anang Odur (Kwania) said term limits could bring about a healthy political atmosphere.
He said, “In 1980 people in Nyabushozi did not believe that Museveni was a good leader. It was only after he became president that we learnt that he was good.â€
Ben Etonu (Amuria) said in the Constituent Assembly, they called for a flexible Constitution.
Muntuyera Nuwagaba (Kajara) said 65% of his constituents approve of lifting the term limits. “If people took a decision 10 years ago and they have now changed their minds, I wouldn’t be surprised. Nothing is constant except change.â€
Public service state minister Okumu Ringa Deusdedit Bikwasizehi (Buhweju), Ruth Tuma (Jinja) Moses Lubowa (Budiope), Badhul Katongole (Kyaka), Margaret Baba-Diri (PWDs) and John Kigyaji (Mbarara Municipality) supported lifting of term limits.
Related story on Page 5