Should third term be put to a referendum?
Dec 16, 2003
The most contentious issue today in Ugandan politics is whether term limits should be lifted, for a ruling president
By Joshua Kato
The most contentious issue today in Ugandan politics is whether term limits should be lifted, for a ruling president.
There is information that the Constitutional Review Commission, headed by Professor Fredrick Ssempebwa has referred contentious issue of lifting term limits first for debate in parliament and later to a referendum, if parliament fails to reach a final stand. Is it right to refer this issue to a referendum? The New Vision talked to a cross section of people and below are their views.
Erias Lukwago, political lawyer: “It is not okay to refer that issue to a referendum. The commission was supposed to come out with a final verdict over that issue. It was supposed to show us whether those calling for the third term were in the majority or those against it. It was supposed to go by that assessment,†he says.
Ofwono Opondo, director of information at the Movement secretariat says: “There is no problem with that, after all the constitution of Uganda provides for it. He says that because the issue of lifting term limits has become contentious, there is no reason why Ugandans should not be asked what they think about it.
Ken Lukyamuzi, MP Rubaga south, “I don’t believe in any of the recommendations of the Ssempebwa commission. I am extremely disappointed by the Ssempebwa commission. A few weeks ago, he came to parliament and admitted that the report leaked. He also admitted that what leaked was the true content of the report. He has now turned around and made proposals that were not in his report. I think that the public has lost respect in his commission and he should resign,â€
Edward Ssenfuma, a lawyer says, “Those in support of the third term have got several ways through which they can pass their project. They had the CRC whose recommendations is now giving them a smile and now they have parliament. However, the easiest way to get the lifting of term limits is through a referendum. President Museveni still maintains remarkable support on the grassroots,†he says.
Joseph Ssentumbwe of Ssentumbwe and Co advocates says: “I would not mind taking the issue of term limits to a referendum, since there is no doubt that it has become contentious and the constitution provides that such contentious issues are to be solved through a referendum. My worry, however, is that referendums in Uganda are easily manipulated and might not portray the true feelings of the people.â€
Latif Ssebagala, MP Kawempe North, “According to the Constitution, the issue of term limits is not among those that can be taken to a referendum.
That issue can be solved by parliament. I don’t think there is any need of wasting tax payer’s money on a referendum that is likely to be manipulated by the Movement. Instead let us be patient as we have been, time will come when Museveni will go,†he says.
Saul Lutwama, teacher, “I don’t think that the issue of the third term will go beyond parliament. The Movement has got most of the 300 MPs under its coats,†he says. He, however, adds that if parliament fails to reach a conclusion, then there will be no choice, apart from fowarding the issue to the people through a referendum.
Salaamu Musumba, member of parliament and spokesperson for the parliamentary advocacy committee, opposed to the third term, “The Ssempebwa commission was supposed to collect people’s views on the issue and give us a solution. But by sending the issue of the third term to a referendum is taking us back.
Why should it be the people to answer that question? The Constitution clearly explains that the issue should be solved by parliament either way, which it should be. The commission should be ashamed of themselves individually and collectively,†she says.
Christopher Kintu, Uganda Young Democrats, “I wonder why in the first place the CRC made that proposal. I think they were forced to make it.
There is no reason why the issue of the third term should feature anywhere, but now it is featuring, it represents an abortion of democracy. Let them take it to a referendum, and compete against themselves.â€
Frank Tumwebaze, Presidential assistant, Research, “I support the referendum 100%. Those who say that a referendum is manipulative are simply afraid of the will of the power. The CRC was mandated to seek people’s views and after collecting them, they realised that there were people who wanted term limits to be lifted and those who did not want. The issue became contentious, which is why it warrants a referendum,†he says.
Muwanga Lutaaya, national speaker, Young Movement says: “If parliament fails to decide on this very important issue, let the people of Uganda decide through a referendum. I assure those who are opposing the lifting of term limits that they have no chance of defeating us. President Museveni is still loved by Ugandans and he is still scoring goals,†he says.
Paul Sserwanga, teacher, Kisaasi “Whatever way it goes, those who are in opposition of the lifting of term limits have got a huge battle on their hands to fight. I think that in parliament, they have a slight chance of stopping it going through, but once it goes to a referendum, it will be out of their hands.
President Museveni retains a degree of popularity among the rural folk and if he goes on the trail to campaign for the referendum, he will be very hard to defeat,†he says.
The most contentious issue today in Ugandan politics is whether term limits should be lifted, for a ruling president.
There is information that the Constitutional Review Commission, headed by Professor Fredrick Ssempebwa has referred contentious issue of lifting term limits first for debate in parliament and later to a referendum, if parliament fails to reach a final stand. Is it right to refer this issue to a referendum? The New Vision talked to a cross section of people and below are their views.
Erias Lukwago, political lawyer: “It is not okay to refer that issue to a referendum. The commission was supposed to come out with a final verdict over that issue. It was supposed to show us whether those calling for the third term were in the majority or those against it. It was supposed to go by that assessment,†he says.
Ofwono Opondo, director of information at the Movement secretariat says: “There is no problem with that, after all the constitution of Uganda provides for it. He says that because the issue of lifting term limits has become contentious, there is no reason why Ugandans should not be asked what they think about it.
Ken Lukyamuzi, MP Rubaga south, “I don’t believe in any of the recommendations of the Ssempebwa commission. I am extremely disappointed by the Ssempebwa commission. A few weeks ago, he came to parliament and admitted that the report leaked. He also admitted that what leaked was the true content of the report. He has now turned around and made proposals that were not in his report. I think that the public has lost respect in his commission and he should resign,â€
Edward Ssenfuma, a lawyer says, “Those in support of the third term have got several ways through which they can pass their project. They had the CRC whose recommendations is now giving them a smile and now they have parliament. However, the easiest way to get the lifting of term limits is through a referendum. President Museveni still maintains remarkable support on the grassroots,†he says.
Joseph Ssentumbwe of Ssentumbwe and Co advocates says: “I would not mind taking the issue of term limits to a referendum, since there is no doubt that it has become contentious and the constitution provides that such contentious issues are to be solved through a referendum. My worry, however, is that referendums in Uganda are easily manipulated and might not portray the true feelings of the people.â€
Latif Ssebagala, MP Kawempe North, “According to the Constitution, the issue of term limits is not among those that can be taken to a referendum.
That issue can be solved by parliament. I don’t think there is any need of wasting tax payer’s money on a referendum that is likely to be manipulated by the Movement. Instead let us be patient as we have been, time will come when Museveni will go,†he says.
Saul Lutwama, teacher, “I don’t think that the issue of the third term will go beyond parliament. The Movement has got most of the 300 MPs under its coats,†he says. He, however, adds that if parliament fails to reach a conclusion, then there will be no choice, apart from fowarding the issue to the people through a referendum.
Salaamu Musumba, member of parliament and spokesperson for the parliamentary advocacy committee, opposed to the third term, “The Ssempebwa commission was supposed to collect people’s views on the issue and give us a solution. But by sending the issue of the third term to a referendum is taking us back.
Why should it be the people to answer that question? The Constitution clearly explains that the issue should be solved by parliament either way, which it should be. The commission should be ashamed of themselves individually and collectively,†she says.
Christopher Kintu, Uganda Young Democrats, “I wonder why in the first place the CRC made that proposal. I think they were forced to make it.
There is no reason why the issue of the third term should feature anywhere, but now it is featuring, it represents an abortion of democracy. Let them take it to a referendum, and compete against themselves.â€
Frank Tumwebaze, Presidential assistant, Research, “I support the referendum 100%. Those who say that a referendum is manipulative are simply afraid of the will of the power. The CRC was mandated to seek people’s views and after collecting them, they realised that there were people who wanted term limits to be lifted and those who did not want. The issue became contentious, which is why it warrants a referendum,†he says.
Muwanga Lutaaya, national speaker, Young Movement says: “If parliament fails to decide on this very important issue, let the people of Uganda decide through a referendum. I assure those who are opposing the lifting of term limits that they have no chance of defeating us. President Museveni is still loved by Ugandans and he is still scoring goals,†he says.
Paul Sserwanga, teacher, Kisaasi “Whatever way it goes, those who are in opposition of the lifting of term limits have got a huge battle on their hands to fight. I think that in parliament, they have a slight chance of stopping it going through, but once it goes to a referendum, it will be out of their hands.
President Museveni retains a degree of popularity among the rural folk and if he goes on the trail to campaign for the referendum, he will be very hard to defeat,†he says.