New survey: 85% in Igara West oppose age-limit amendment

A survey conducted by the Citizens Coalition on Electoral Democracy (CCEDU) has revealed that 86% of respondents in Igara West, represented by Raphael Magyezi, oppose the bill he tabled to amend article 102 (b).

This is significant because Magyezi the master-mind of the bill that seeks to remove the cap on the presidential age-limit had claimed that the bill enjoys tremendous support in his backyard.

The findings now cast doubt on those claims.

Overall, a whooping 85% of those sampled nationwide said they are opposed to lifting the age-cap.

Only 15% of Ugandans are in support of amending the article.

The study, titled Citizens Perceptions on the Proposed Amendment of Article 102b of the Constitution  sampled over 50,000 citizens in 100 constituencies across the country.

They included 22,926 females and 27,503 male respondents.

According to the report, Eastern region is most opposed to the amendment at 95% followed by Northern Uganda (86%) and 76% in Western region. Interestingly, only 66% of respondents in Central Uganda expressed opposition to the amendment.

Dr Livingstone Ssewanyana, the executive Director of Foundation for Human Rights Initiative said this survey shows amending the constitution is not a priority for Ugandans, advising  government to value the views of the citizens.

The Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies (GLISS) Executive Director Godber Tumushabe who presented the survey findings said this shows  that Ugandans are unanimously opposed to the constitutional amendment.

He asked government to prevail upon security organs and individuals who are fond of attacking and arresting citizens with divergent opinions.