A few months have now gone by since the idea of changing the Ugandan Constitution was passed. The idea right away caused chaos in the country, created especially by the members of the opposition parties who say ‘President Museveni must step down’.
The opposition parties also vow to do whatever it will take to protect the Constitution and keep it safe from any amendment that is in favor of just one selfish person.
It is article 102 (b) of the Ugandan Constitution that is at stake of being changed however, it is not a smooth move as proved by the daily tragic happenings in Uganda.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has ruled Uganda for 31 years currently. Throughout his ruling period, he continuously has been promising of when he will very soon resign and hand over power to other capable personalities, a thing he has not done, and probably not ready and willing to do.
As his promises have been so blank, his age didn’t seize moving, said the opposition members. Finally he is currently 73 years and will be 77 in 2021 when Uganda will hold the next presidential elections.
According to the 102 (b) article, which protection has become deadly, a person can only be eligible to being the President of Uganda at 35 and 75 respectively. Thus, changing it to lifting the age limit will obviously put it higher.
Demonstrations have been carried out around the streets of Kampala, Uganda, in a campaign known as ‘Tojikwatako’, meaning ‘don’t dare touch it’ referring to the Constitution.
Of course arrests have also been conducted. Battering and firing teargas at the demonstrators have all been exercised though none of measures has shaken the demonstrators.
The demonstrators wear red ribbons, bandanas or red caps, a sign that was explained by one of the opposition leaders as a peace seeking one.
“The red ribbons are just a plea to the government that we don’t want any blood shedding, but we are ready to fight for the Constitution,” said Kiiza Besigye, the main opposition (FDC) leader.
The age lifting issue has been tabled in the parliament for discussion. However, none of the sittings was fruit full because they both resulted in to fist fighting, later on arrests.
Tuesday very early in the morning, at 2:00am, blasts were made at two Members of the Parliaments’ houses.
Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi, most known as Bobi Wine and Honorable Allan Ssewannyana are the MPs whose houses were thrown grenades at.
The police confirmed that they were hand grenades and the investigation has already begun to get the perpetrators.
This has nevertheless left the lives of the MPs’ family members at stake and in fear. According to Allan Ssewannyana, his little boys were psychologically tortured though luckily, no physical harm was caused to any of the MPs’ family members.
Honorable Kyagulanyi has also explained that he has been receiving calls from people threatening him to stop opposing the lifting of the presidential age limit, otherwise he will be terminated or disabled.
The MPs and various sources have explained that this is a move taken to scare the MPs off the age limit deal, as they are spear heads in protecting the constitution.
However, despite the attacks, the MPs have promised not to back off as the attackers expected them to do. They have promised to will still hold on to Kyagulanyi’s slogan ‘People power is stronger than the people in power’.
Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu
