Age limit: MP cautions on debate

Nov 12, 2017

Bukonjo West MP Godfrey Katusabe told the committee that the ongoing process on the Bill is illegal, since the matter is in court

PIC: Bukonjo West MP Godfrey Atkins Katusabe

AGE LIMIT


Bukonjo West MP Godfrey Atkins Katusabe has cautioned the Parliament committee on legal and parliamentary affairs that they are handling a very delicate matter which has potential to ruin the future of Uganda.

The committee is handling the age limit Bill.

Katusabe, who is a political scientist, told the committee members that they will be remembered by future generations either for good or for bad, depending on the way they handle the Bill.

The vice-chairperson of the committee, Robinah Rwakoojo, told Katusabe not to frighten the committee.

But the Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona interjected to defend Katusabe, saying: "He is not frightening us. He is just cautioning us to be careful."

"I can confidently tell you that as sure as day follows the night, if the presidential age limit is removed, you will have handed President Yoweri Museveni a rope for self-destruction.  Parliament will have opened the door for a catastrophic end of his presidency. Leaving the age limit intact provides him an opportunity for a safe ending of his presidency," he stated.

The vocal legislator, who defeated former defence minister Cryspus Kiyonga in the 2016 parliamentary elections, argued that whoever supports the lifting of the presidential age limit does not wish Museveni and his family members a glorious future.

He used an analogy of removing the brakes in a car to shade more light on what he believes are the dangers of removing what he called the last safety valve.

"The removal of article 105 (2) in 2005 was like removing one of the two brakes. The removal of the age limit will be the removal of the last brake. No driver on this planet earth can ensure safe delivery of passengers in a vehicle that has no vehicles," he explained.

Katusabe, who is also the shadow minister for foreign affairs, told the committee that the ongoing process on the Bill is illegal, since the matter is already in court.

Katusabe cited the report on the Kasese massacres and the proposal to investigate Bank of Uganda, which the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga halted because the issues were already in courts of law.

"We have to protect the integrity of Parliament. Let the Speaker use the same ground she used on the Kasese report to stop the age limit Bill," he said.

The other key argument Katusabe raised is that the Bill was presented to Parliament through a gunpoint process.

"This is a gunpoint Bill. The process determines the product. The Bill was brought on gunpoint. Parliament was besieged by the military. That also renders the process fraudulent," he argued. 

Rwakoojo thanked Katusabe for presenting his views and told him the decision regarding whether continuing with the Bill is contempt of court would be ruled upon by the Speaker of Parliament.


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