FDC backs MP Kityo
Feb 28, 2005
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supports the proposal by Mawokota South MP Mutebi Kityo to retain the term limits but opposed his call for a third term for President Yoweri Museveni.
By Charles Ariko
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supports the proposal by Mawokota South MP Mutebi Kityo to retain the term limits but opposed his call for a third term for President Yoweri Museveni.
Augustine Ruzindana (right), the party’s deputy executive coordinator, yesterday said if the term limits were lifted, the incumbent could turn it into a life-presidency.
Kityo’s proposal allows a third term for Museveni as long as presidential term limits stay.
But Ruzindana said, “The amendment moved by Kityo and other MPs is good. But we fear this could be abused. Museveni used to be accepted universally but now that has changed because many people do not support changing the Constitution to lift the term limits for the president.â€
Addressing a press conference at their offices in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb, Ruzindana denied reports that FDC bribed Kityo and other MPs to support the proposal in Parliament.
“They (MPs) are intelligent people. No one should insult them by suggesting that we bribed them,†Ruzindana said.
Commenting on the Omnibus Bill, Ruzindana said the Government was using wrong procedures to have unrelated articles amended against Parliament rules.
He said the proposal to have MPs vote openly as opposed to the secret ballot was aimed at manipulating the process to the benefit of the Movement.
“The Government is scared because they do not have the required number of MPs to support the Bill even after bribing some of the MPs. That is why they want to intimidate them by saying they should vote openly,†Ruzindana said.
He said Rule 92(1) does not allow unrelated matters to be put together in an Omnibus Bill. He said the Government should bring the articles for amendment separately.
“The political roadmap should have started about a year ago but because the Government has realised that the Bill has delayed, it wants to stampede the process,†he said.
“Issues such as holding a referendum on political parties should not be subjected to debate because there is already a consensus on that issue, Ruzindana said.
Ends
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supports the proposal by Mawokota South MP Mutebi Kityo to retain the term limits but opposed his call for a third term for President Yoweri Museveni.
Augustine Ruzindana (right), the party’s deputy executive coordinator, yesterday said if the term limits were lifted, the incumbent could turn it into a life-presidency.
Kityo’s proposal allows a third term for Museveni as long as presidential term limits stay.
But Ruzindana said, “The amendment moved by Kityo and other MPs is good. But we fear this could be abused. Museveni used to be accepted universally but now that has changed because many people do not support changing the Constitution to lift the term limits for the president.â€
Addressing a press conference at their offices in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb, Ruzindana denied reports that FDC bribed Kityo and other MPs to support the proposal in Parliament.
“They (MPs) are intelligent people. No one should insult them by suggesting that we bribed them,†Ruzindana said.
Commenting on the Omnibus Bill, Ruzindana said the Government was using wrong procedures to have unrelated articles amended against Parliament rules.
He said the proposal to have MPs vote openly as opposed to the secret ballot was aimed at manipulating the process to the benefit of the Movement.
“The Government is scared because they do not have the required number of MPs to support the Bill even after bribing some of the MPs. That is why they want to intimidate them by saying they should vote openly,†Ruzindana said.
He said Rule 92(1) does not allow unrelated matters to be put together in an Omnibus Bill. He said the Government should bring the articles for amendment separately.
“The political roadmap should have started about a year ago but because the Government has realised that the Bill has delayed, it wants to stampede the process,†he said.
“Issues such as holding a referendum on political parties should not be subjected to debate because there is already a consensus on that issue, Ruzindana said.
Ends