Uganda’s constitution is only 10 years old, please give it a chance
Jun 22, 2005
SIR — Parliament is debating the issue of removing presidential term limits. Ugandans as well as the international<br>community are watching anxiously to see how the debate will proceed and the final outcome.
SIR — Parliament is debating the issue of removing presidential term limits. Ugandans as well as the international
community are watching anxiously to see how the debate will proceed and the final outcome.
Although it is almost clear that term limits will be removed because of the majority the NRM enjoys in parliament, some of us who are against lifting term
limits will not keep quiet.
Unfortunately, those against lifting term limits are being branded enemies of President Museveni and his government. Those defending the lifting of term limits by saying that Museveni is still liked by the people are missing the point.
The issue is not whether or not the incumbent is still liked or not but rather protecting our young democracy. Some NRM politicians are giving examples of countries like the UK and Australia which have no term limits, forgetting that these countries have well developed institutions to guard against political excesses.
I call upon parliament to think about the future of this country as they debate the issue of term limits. President Museveni should know that although he is widely liked by the people, our
constitution, which is only 10 years old, requires that he retires.
He should be the last person to push for changing the constitution for what is glaringly a selfish rather than patriotic motive. After writing Sowing the mustard seed and calling past leaders all sorts of names, surely, he should do better.
Baker Musiga
Makerere University
community are watching anxiously to see how the debate will proceed and the final outcome.
Although it is almost clear that term limits will be removed because of the majority the NRM enjoys in parliament, some of us who are against lifting term
limits will not keep quiet.
Unfortunately, those against lifting term limits are being branded enemies of President Museveni and his government. Those defending the lifting of term limits by saying that Museveni is still liked by the people are missing the point.
The issue is not whether or not the incumbent is still liked or not but rather protecting our young democracy. Some NRM politicians are giving examples of countries like the UK and Australia which have no term limits, forgetting that these countries have well developed institutions to guard against political excesses.
I call upon parliament to think about the future of this country as they debate the issue of term limits. President Museveni should know that although he is widely liked by the people, our
constitution, which is only 10 years old, requires that he retires.
He should be the last person to push for changing the constitution for what is glaringly a selfish rather than patriotic motive. After writing Sowing the mustard seed and calling past leaders all sorts of names, surely, he should do better.
Baker Musiga
Makerere University