Chaos as Kadaga allows age limit motion

Sep 26, 2017

Kadaga who presided over a Tuesday afternoon plenary session also allowed other motions related to the Constitutional amendment to be moved at an appropriate time.


The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has allowed presentation of a motion which seeks to scrap the presidential age limit.

Kadaga who presided over a Tuesday afternoon plenary session also allowed other motions related to the Constitutional amendment to be moved at an appropriate time.

"I am constrained. Now that the Executive has failed to present all Bills related to Constitutional amendment, let individual members be granted leave to present Private Member's Bills," Kadaga said shortly after explaining the procedure to be followed for motions to become Bills.

In her communication to the House, Kadaga started by ordering Opposition MPs to remove the red bandanas. "I know sometimes people enjoy colours, but let me call on Members to remove their bandanas. You have breached rule 73 of our rules of procedures."

Chaos ensued when opposition MPs alleged that some NRM MPs had entered with guns in the House. The opposition MPs demanded to search state minister for water, Ronald Kibuule, who they accused of carrying a gun to the chambers. At this point, Makindye West MP Allan Sewanyana crossed the floor, stood before Kibuule and demanded: "You should be searched."

At this point, the Sargent at arms and his deputies were on standby guarding the mace. The mace in Parliament is the symbol of authority and without it neither House can meet or pass laws. 

Amidst uproar, Kadaga pleaded with MPs for order in the House but in vain. "Order… Order… Order Honorable members," she shouted on top her voice.  With her call for calm falling to deaf ears, she quietly held her chin and ‘watched the movie' unfolding. It took about 20 minutes for sanity to be restored.

Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju said: "When I entered this House at 2:00pm, Hon. Kibuule came here and warned me that today am facing death.

MP William Nzoghu took the floor and said MPs were not safe because guns had been sneaked into the House. "I move that we get out and get checked as we make our way back. Even you in that seat, you're are not safe."

With chairs turned upside down in a scuffled characterized by chest thumbing and noise, a female MP was seen trying to fix her damaged shoes.

The Speaker ordered a search of all MPs but no gun was found.


The Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah last week pushed the motion presentation over procedural matters.

"What we have today is exceptional. I my opinion it has gone beyond what it should have been. Like I told on Tuesday, I received notices of motion on age limit and I told you that there was no motion yet. As I speak now, there is one motion. At an appropriate time, communication will come on whether either motions or one will be considered," Oulanyah said.

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