Women activists against age limit bill briefly detained

Sep 14, 2016

They aregue that the bill a tabled as a disguise to push for the removal of the presidential age limit

A group of women activists under the umbrella name, Women 4 Uganda, were briefly arrested by police on Tuesday as they were organizing to match to Parliament to present their petition against the proposed age limit bill.

According to Jacky Asiimwe, one of the women arrested by police, they were arrested from National Theatre at around midday and driven to Kira Police Station in Namugongo were they were detained for about four hours. She said they were later released without being charged.

A statement from Uganda Media Women's Association indicated that those arrested were 24 and were only released after former ethics minister Miria Matembe intervened.  

The arrested include, Sheila Muwanga, Faridah Lule, Maria Magezi, Patricia Twasiima, Susan Mirembe, Yvonne Mpambara, Godiva Akullo, Milly Nakakande, Jessica Nkuuhe, Robina Rubimbwa, Olga Agiri, Rose Kamuli and Truth Musimenta.

Others are Maria Birabwa, Catherine Kanabahita, Mariam Nakakeeto, berna Bakidde, Deborah Nambalirwa, Franklin Mbamanya, Edith Sempala, Asiya Nagudi, Scovia Arinaitwe, Lydia Natalejja and Joanita Senfuka.

Emilian Kayima, the Chief Political Commissar Kampala Metropolitan Police said that the women were released unconditionally but warned organizers of public meetings against holding meetings without notifying the Police prior.

"Organizers of meetings have to notify the Police so that we have a mechanism of securing them.  The women activists instead of notifying us early, brought a letter today, dated September 10," he said.

On August 25, 2016, Kafeero Sekitoleko, Member of Parliament, Nafuma Constituency in Mukono district presented a motion in Parliament seeking to amend the constitution and remove the retirement age of judges and the tenure of the commissioners appointed to the Electoral Commission.

Asiimwe told New Vision that the MP tabled this bill as a disguise to push for the removal of the presidential age limit such that the President is allowed to serve for life.

"It is on record that the judiciary is not cared for. Among the three arms of government, it is the least funded, every term the number of parliamentarians is increased but not the judiciary. Administration of justice cannot begin with the removal of age limit," she said.

She said that the proposed amendment undermines the principles of good governance and democracy.

She stated that the 1995 Constitution expresses the aspiration of the citizens for a systematic change of office bearers that are entrusted with authority to manage public functions. Therefore, those appointed or elected to public office should be subjected to a competitive and open process and should effectively serve for a specified period of time.

According to their press statement, the women said that Electoral Commission has twice been found, by courts, to have grossly mismanaged elections, so they cannot afford to have it.

In their petition, they want the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga and her deputy, Jacob Oulanyah to reject the proposal.

They also want the commissioners of the Electoral Commission to reject and speak out against any and every proposal to remove term limits for themselves and any other public servants from the Constitution.

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