House debates 3rd term

Feb 09, 2005

TO amend or not to amend article 105 to remove the presidential two-term limit was the main focus of debate in Parliament on Tuesday.<br>Mps expressed divergent views over the issue.

By Cyprian Musoke and Hamis Kaheru

TO amend or not to amend article 105 to remove the presidential two-term limit was the main focus of debate in Parliament on Tuesday.
Mps expressed divergent views over the issue.

Bunya West MP William Kiwagama said his people saw in president Yoweri Museveni a redeemer, for whose sake term limits should be waived.

He said they related parties to chaos.

But Betty Amongi (Apac Woman) said Mps needed to transcend the simplistic reasoning of their rural constituents, to contemplate why term limits were enshrined in the constitution.

She said because of the impracticability of having free and fair elections in almost all of Africa, the situation warranted term limits.

Sam Bitangaro (Bufumbira South), Wambuzi Gagawala (Bulamogi), Louis Opange (Pallisa), Akwero Odong (Kitgum), Bernard Mulengani, Fred Badda (Bujumba), Rosemary Sseninde (Wakiso Woman), Jacqueline Kyatuheire (Kanungu Woman), Ben Etonu (Amuria) and Stephen Bamwanga (Ndorwa West) said their people had supported the lifting of term limits.

Bamwanga said, “The people told me openly that they didn’t see the reason why President Museveni, revolutionary as he is, should be terminated by people who simply detest him.”

Amongi, Steven Malinga (Butebo), John Arumadri (Madi Okollo), Christopher Kibazanga (Busongora South), John Odit (Erute south) said their constituents opposed the lifting of term limits.

Malinga said the ten years (two terms) was enough for a person to rule the country and successfully implement their manifesto.

He said the people of Bulamogi had benefited nothing form the Movement under Museveni.

“We have been sidelined for long and cannot continue like this,” he said.

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