For second day, Ugandan lawmakers engage in brawl over move to change constitution

It has been a free for all in the last two days as Ugandan lawmakers have been engaging in a brawl over a proposed decision to change the country’s constitution to let long-ruling President Yoweri Museveni run for re-election after age 75.

Reports say the fiercely disputed move has seen lawmakers exchange blows and kicks, with some using microphone stands as crude weapons in the melee.

At least two female lawmakers were carried out of the chamber after collapsing in the free for all and were rushed to hospital where they are currently getting medical attention.

Read also: Kenya’s presidential re-run may be postponed

In his bid to restore calm, the speaker ordered the forcible ejection of at least 25 MPs opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment to prolong Museveni’s tenure, while other like-minded MPs walked out of the chambers in support of their colleagues.

After calm returned, ruling party MP Raphael Magyezi introduced the contested motion authorising parliament to draft and present a bill that would lift the constitution’s age cap on presidential candidates.

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