LC5 bosses speak out on 3rd term
Feb 10, 2004
LC5 chairpersons who attended the Uganda Local Authorities Association (ULAA) conference at Tal Cottages in Kampala last week resolved to support the lifting of presidential term limits, among other things.
LC5 chairpersons who attended the Uganda Local Authorities Association (ULAA) conference at Tal Cottages in Kampala last week resolved to support the lifting of presidential term limits, among other things.
On the first day of the conference, the National Political Commissar and Minister without Portfolio, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, requested them to support the lifting of term limits and opening up of political space.
The New Vision talked to some of the chairpersons to attest their views to the lifting of term limits for the presidency and below are the excerpts.
Capt. John Otekat (Soroti): “District chairpersons support the lifting of term limits.
“However, this should not be pitched on President Yoweri Museveni as a person, but on its principle and applicability. There is no problem with this issue being taken to the people. Power belongs to the people of Uganda.â€
Nixon Owole (Adjumani): “Lifting term limits will cause the death of democracy in the country. The Constitution is one of the main instruments of democracy that has to be respected. The Constitution should not be amended as often as anyone wishes.â€
Fred Kamugira (Mbarara): “There is no problem with the lifting of term limits. There is also no problem with the people getting directly involved in deciding this very important issue. Let them be involved.â€
Baswari Keezaala (Jinja municipality): “There is absolutely no need to lift the two term limits. Article 105 (2) has not been tested in any way. Let the Constitution not be made useless by unnecessary amendments. Let President Museveni retire honourably in 2006.â€
Nahaman Ojwe (Kitgum): “I support the lifting of term limits. At the moment, I don’t see any person who can takeover leadership and handle Uganda the way President Museveni has. Services are nearer to the people. In the north, only security is the biggest problem.
“There is no guarantee that the situation will change if Museveni leaves office. Today is different from the time the 1995 Constitution was made. Let the people decide.â€
Franco Ojur (Lira): “I cannot talk about such a sensitive issue without consulting with my people. I am currently busy mobilising the Amuka militia to fight against the LRA.â€
Charles Musoke Sserunjogi (Kampala Central Division): “I think term limits should not be lifted so that President Museveni goes back home with respect. I don’t deny that he has done a lot for the country, but the Constitution does not allow him to stand again.â€
William Kaija (Kyenjojo): “I seriously support the lifting of term limits due to what Museveni has done for the country. He brought peace and development. He restored the freedom of speech and so many other good things.
“The Constitution clearly states that power belongs to the people. I don’t think the Parliament, of only 300 members, should overlook what the millions of people who elected them are saying. I was elected unopposed in my district. What I’m saying is 100% the wish of my people.â€
Bihande Bwambale (Kasese): “As a member of the NEC, I go by the resolutions that were passed. If the National Resistance Movement Organisation elected Museveni as their candidate for 2006, there is no way I can oppose it. Those people who are saying the Constitution can only be amended by Parliament are wrong. Even district councils can amend it, if we collect two thirds.â€
Vincent Ssemakula (Rakai): “The Constitution gives the people the power to decide who should lead them through free and fair elections. If the people still want Museveni to lead the country, there is no problem with that.
“The people have the power to do this through a referendum, which is the only way people can directly participate in the affairs of their country.â€
Adome Lokwii (Kotido): “I think the current debate about the lifting of term limits is a wastage of time. Now that the NRMO has registered, it is up to them to decide who should be their presidential candidate for 2006.
“Museveni has been leading in the Movement system, but since we are going multiparty, no one should stop him from standing again. I think what other parties should do is to organise themselves and get candidates who they think can challenge Museveni.â€
Hajji Abdul Nadduli (Luweero): “As a Ugandan and freedom fighter, Ugandans at the grassroots should be involved in the making of important national decisions. Grassroots people are more than the MPs.
“When we made the 1995 Constitution, we never said it was final. We only said it is a framework on which we can start rebuilding our country. That is why even people who never signed it are using it as a reference in their court cases. Britain, like many other countries in central Europe, has got no term limits. We should not lose our leaders when we still love them.â€
Lt. Col. Walter Ochora (Gulu): “I support the lifting of term limits. This is intended to create universality among all elective leadership positions. Why should we have term limits on the presidency if we don’t have limits on all other elective offices?
Chris Bagonza (Nakasongola): “Since they have opened up political space, there are numerous buses on the road that are scrambling for the little space around. In this case, Uganda needs the best driver to steer it through the crammed traffic jam. People have the power to decide on this issue. They should not be underlooked.â€
“Those who are saying the issue should not be taken to a referendum are missing a point. It was not controversial in 1995, but it has now become controversial. The Constitution says every controversial issue is taken to the people through a referendum.â€
Wycliffe Karazarwe (Ntungamo): “Our people are busy implementing development projects brought in the district by the Government. The Anti-third term critics are urban and elitists. They no longer share the wishes and wills of their people. The MPs should not pretend to be above the people. It is the people who elected them.â€
Mamerito Mugerwa (Mayor-Kira): “The Constitution says it is up to the people to decide who should lead them, through free and fair elections. This right cannot be taken away from them, come 2006.
If Ugandans still love Museveni, no one should stop them from voting for him again.
“Those who are against taking this issue to a referendum are simply afraid of the power of the people.â€