Youth activists arrested in Uganda over Presidential age-limit protests

david nganga

September 18, 2017 7:41 PM

The age-limit debate continues to draw sharp criticism with a section of lawmakers warning that Uganda 'could implode' if the NRM MPs' manoeuvres succeeded.

14 youth activists were on Monday arrested in Kampala for protesting against the planned amendment of the Constitution to lift the presidential age-limit.

The Daily Monitor reports that the youth, belonging to the 'Jobless Brotherhood',were found distributing fliers calling upon the public to join the fight and defend the Constitution against what they called ‘selfish people.’

Police declined to comment on why they arrested the 14 activists saying that they are still assessing the situation.

Security has since been tightened down town Kampala with heavy deployment of both police and army officers on almost all the streets.

On September 12, a joint caucus of the ruling NRM and Independent MPs passed a resolution to move a motion in Parliament paving the way for the introduction of a Bill to amend Article 102(b) and delete presidential age limit, in what some activists say, is meant to allow President Museveni, who will be above 75, stand for another term of office.

The age limit debate has drawn sharp criticism in the country with a section of lawmakers allied to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Independents warning that Uganda 'could implode' if the NRM MPs' manoeuvres succeeded.

"Either we stop calling it the Constitution of Uganda and call it the Constitution of NRM and Museveni, and we fold our hands and let the country go to the dogs, as it surely will, unless citizens resist this and all of us take the mantle to stop this business of people raping our Constitution," remarked Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba.

The silence of religious leaders on the contentious matter has on the other hand been attracting criticism from the public.

However, Apostle Dr. Joseph Serwadda, an associate member of IRCU and president of Born Again Faith union in Uganda, revealed that religious leaders will pronounce themselves on the matter on Tuesday.“On Tuesday, we shall announce our position on the impending amendment of the Constitution after a consultative meeting” said Serwadda.

david nganga