Third Term Discussion Premature â€" Kasenene
May 28, 2003
THE head of the Catholic laity, Prof. Peter Kasenene, has said it is premature to debate the granting of a third term to President Yoweri Museveni now.
By Felix Osike
THE head of the Catholic laity, Prof. Peter Kasenene, has said it is premature to debate the granting of a third term to President Yoweri Museveni now.
Kasenene, who is also the privatisation state minister told journalists yesterday at the ministry boardroom on Communication House that, “The Catholic church has not joined the fight against the third term,†as reported in the local media.
He said some people were confusing the lifting of the term limit with debate on a third term for Museveni.
“The president has not asked for a third term. It is premature to start discussing it now. Debate on the third term can come after a decision has been taken on whether to lift the restriction or not,†he said.
Museveni’s term expires in 2006 but some Movement supporters want his term extended.
Kasenene was contradicting Uganda Episcopal conference secretary General the Rev. Dr. Joseph Obunga, who on Tuesday warned against lifting the restrictions.
“We are concerned that there has been a misrepresentation on the position of the Catholic Church regarding the constitution. We shall continue to respect, support and defend the constitution,†Kasenene said.
“It is the Ugandans to decide whether to open up or not. This is consistent with the President’s position on the matter. We therefore fully support this position,†he added.
The Movement last month presented its view to the law review body including the demand for lifting the two term limit.
He said the Church would respect the people’s verdict, if they chose to amend the constituional provision on the two term limit. Ends
THE head of the Catholic laity, Prof. Peter Kasenene, has said it is premature to debate the granting of a third term to President Yoweri Museveni now.
Kasenene, who is also the privatisation state minister told journalists yesterday at the ministry boardroom on Communication House that, “The Catholic church has not joined the fight against the third term,†as reported in the local media.
He said some people were confusing the lifting of the term limit with debate on a third term for Museveni.
“The president has not asked for a third term. It is premature to start discussing it now. Debate on the third term can come after a decision has been taken on whether to lift the restriction or not,†he said.
Museveni’s term expires in 2006 but some Movement supporters want his term extended.
Kasenene was contradicting Uganda Episcopal conference secretary General the Rev. Dr. Joseph Obunga, who on Tuesday warned against lifting the restrictions.
“We are concerned that there has been a misrepresentation on the position of the Catholic Church regarding the constitution. We shall continue to respect, support and defend the constitution,†Kasenene said.
“It is the Ugandans to decide whether to open up or not. This is consistent with the President’s position on the matter. We therefore fully support this position,†he added.
The Movement last month presented its view to the law review body including the demand for lifting the two term limit.
He said the Church would respect the people’s verdict, if they chose to amend the constituional provision on the two term limit. Ends