After removal of 6 MPs, Uganda parliament approves law allowing Museveni elongate his tenure

Three days after six MPs who were opposed to a move to help President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni extend his stay in office were kicked out, Uganda’s parliament has voted to amend the country’s constitution to allow the 73-year-old leader to extend his rule, potentially guaranteeing him a life-time presidency.

Museveni would have been ineligible to stand at the next polls in 2021 because a provision in the current constitution limits the age of a presidential candidate at 75-years.

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But that age limit was removed after MPs voted 315-62 in favour of the bill amendment which was introduced in parliament on October 4 by a Museveni loyalist.

“The bill passes,” said speaker Rebecca Kadaga after announcing tally results, prompting raucous celebrations from the mostly ruling party MPs who favoured the bill.

The bill amendment capped a protracted and violence-marred process to remove that age limit and it marks the second time Ugandan parliament has changed the constitution to allow Museveni extend his rule.

 

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