Parliament has recently been praised for blocking a bill by Nakifuma legislator, Robert Sekitoleko Kafero of lifting the age limit of judicial officers.
However, some opposition elements are not convinced this was a genuine blockade. One of these Col Dr Kizza Besigye believes this was a move to give space to the executive to introduce a more elaborate bill that includes removal of presidential term limits
In her ruling on Wednesday, the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga deferred the subject to a comprehensive package to be spearheaded by the executive to amend the Constitution as requires the rules of procedure.
DP’s President, Norbert Mao told Chimpreports on Thursday that if Sekitoleko’s bill was just a stepping ground for something big, Ugandans should not just sit and think Parliament will save them.
“I am encouraged by some of the independent viewpoints am hearing coming from NRM MPs. Unless the NRM party becomes more tolerant, most probably the individual MPs will be arm twisted to comply with the measures aimed at regime longevity and these MPs will naturally pay the price,” Mao said.
“No one can tell what will happen if indeed the lifting of age limit for Judges is just a tip of the ice bag, with the real intention being to lift the age limit for the president.”
“The MPs will be invited for the usual NRM caucus, will be arm twisted, coerced with inducements and you may be shocked even the Speaker herself may start speaking a different language because it has happened before.”
“Now the onus is on us citizens now to make sure that Parliament does the same thing, the contradiction shouldn’t be now between the government and parliament but rather the people versus the entire State, the presidency the judiciary and the Parliament.”