Age limit: NRM youth leaders arrested

AGE LIMIT | MUKONO YOUTH PROTEST

Police in Mukono have arrested two National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth leaders who were mobilising their follows to join them in a peaceful demonstration around Mukono town protesting the amendment of the article 102b.

Police identified the suspects as Patrick Ssekatawa, the male youth representative at Mukono Municipality council and Hakim Kyeswa, the NRM youth chairman for Mukono central division.

Mukono division Police commander, Rogers Sseguya said the duo was arrested from their homes before their attempt to match to Mukono town, where they were going to meet other youth to  demonstrate.

Sseguya said by arresting these two leaders, Police intended to make a preventive arrest stopping them from staging an unlawful demonstration.

"We tried to engage them not to go on with the protests but they refused to abide by our plea. They have recorded statements and we wish to release them on a Police bond by the close of the day,"
Sseguya said.

The suspects are being detained at Mukono Police Station. However, the situation in Mukono Municipality remained calm after the arrest of the protestor's ring leaders.

On Saturday, Ssekatawa together with other NRM youth leaders held a press conference at Tiamo gardens in Seeta town where they cited a number of reasons forcing them from supporting the constitution amendment.

They said by amending the constitution, it will avoid a number of youth from participating in some reasonable leadership posts as the aged do not want to retire.

"We are told that the youth are the future leaders but what is being done today is against us taking part in the leadership. Being members of NRM does not bar us from having independent arguments over such crucial matters," said Ssekatawa.

The youth also showed dismay to the legislators from different constituents in Mukono district for remaining silent over the ongoing age limit amendment Bill.

The legislators include, Ronald Kibuule for Mukono North and the State Minister for Water, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, for Mukono Municipality and Peace Kusasira, the Mukono district Woman Member of Parliament.

Others include, Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga for Mukono South constituent and Robert Kafeero Ssekitooleko, for Nakifuma County.