The speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has requested the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to consider rewarding her for the endless efforts in lifting the presidential age limit.
In 2017, 317 Members of Parliament mainly from NRM voted to amend the constitution to allow President Museveni who will be 76 in 2021 to contest for his 6th elective term as president.
The Ugandan Constitution, enacted in 1995, previously prohibited anyone younger than 35 or older than 75 from serving as president.
On Tuesday, Speaking at State House Entebbe, Ms Kadaga said she facilitated the amendment of the constitution under very strenuous circumstances, for which she deserves a reward.
The meeting involved members of the Central Executive Committee [CEC] who were vetting candidates for positions to the second-highest policy organ of NRM.
“In very difficult circumstances, I facilitated the amendment of the Constitution under article 102 to enable continuity of the NRM ideology." Kadaga said.
" I have demonstrated my commitment to the party throughout…I have enacted all the necessary legislation. I want to urge the NRM members to take into account my contribution and do the needful,” Kadaga added.
Kadaga has also requested the NRM party to re-elect her as the 2nd National Vice Chairperson (Female) of the NRM Central Executive Committee.
She faces opposition from State Minister for Lands; Persis Namuganza who said that time is up for oldies at the party.
“We must stay in power like NRM but to do so, we must have continuous recruitment more so of the young people,” Namuganza said.
The previous bill would have automatically disqualified the President from seeking another term in office if it wasn't for Kadaga's handwork.
This move might have left room for younger leaders like Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, his biggest rival for 2021.
#BobiWine has won hearts of many Ugandans especially the youth who believe that he understands their problems better.
When the bill was passed out, Ugandans protested violently on the streets of Kampala and were dispersed by heavy military forces.
Special Forces Command (SFC) invaded parliament and forced out MPs who were not in favor of the motion.
Betty Bakireke Nambooze of Mukono Municipality and Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality until now are nursing injuries suffered from the chaos.
These events exposed the growing tensions in Uganda’s politics and the growing need for an accountable government.
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