Ugandans have staged a demonstration in London in a show of solidarity with local opposition members fighting plans to lift the presidential age limit.
The demonstration that took place in London on 27 September 2017 was a consortium of all Ugandans in the Diaspora irrespective of party politics.
Under the Uganda Sustainable Initiative Development led by Josephine Apira, participants said they share the concerns expressed by activists in Uganda and reject amendment of article 102 (b) of the Constitution.
“We call on Mr Museveni to step down from power and for Ugandans to arrange a transitional government of their choice,” said Apira.
Government officials say lifting of the age limit is popular across the country with millions of people supporting President Museveni’s stay in power.
Supporters of the Bill say the age restrictions for leadership positions are discriminative.
In London, Ugandans called upon the government of Uganda to “uphold its laws and international commitments and free all political and civil society leaders in detention for peacefully exercising their freedom of expressions.”
Government accuses the opposition and civil society groups of mobilising resources to destabilize the country, claims they’ve dismissed as baseless.
But Uganda protesters said government must end the “misuse of the army and police in cracking down on dissents.”
They further expressed reservations about reports of land grabbing in the country and “unexplained recent killing of women in Entebbe and Kampala.”
“We call upon the government of Uganda to stop harassment of the NGOs,” said Apira because appealing to Ugandans to remains “peaceful” and “united”.