National Resistance Movement-NRM party legislators who voted against the removal of the presidential age limit, say they don't regret their position. At least 22 of the 92 legislators who voted against the amendment belong to the ruling NRM party.
They include among others Hellen Kahunde, Connie Nakayenze Galiwango, Norah Bigirwa, Anthony Ssemuli, Suzan Amero, Loy Katali and Henry Maurice Kibalya.
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Shortly after the parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday, the Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, said she was disappointed that the legislators had gone against the party position. She explained that the members have failed to understand how the multi-party dispensation works and are working against the party.
However, some of the affected legislators, say they don't regret their decision. Norah Bigirwa Nyendwoha, the Bulisa District Woman Member of Parliament, says she doesn't regret voting no to the bill.
According to Nyendwoha, her voters opposed the bill when she went to consult them. "One reason that made me contest was because the component of true representation in parliament was lucking, i left very important things. I don't see any harm in telling the truth, they asked as to go and consult, and what i disseminated was the result i got, we should not say contrary," Bigirwa said."
Suzan Amero, the Amuria District Woman MP, says if the Chief whip things the party position was important, they shouldn't have sent them to consult their voters. She says the Chief Whips assertion that they were not sensitized and therefore need counseling is wrong.
"She is totally wrong, there are things you can support, and there are things you cannot support. Like the age limit thing, it's a sensitive matter of national importance, and what your people say matters a lot," Amero said.
John Baptist Nambetsye, the Manjia County MP who also said not to the bill, says he acted basing on the voices of his electorate. He says it is unfortunate that the rules of procedure were breached.
"If they summon us, i will ask them, why they don't start with the Speaker who steered the house to pass the amendment illegally. Look at the way the Ugandans opposed to the lifting were shut down, and how the speaker bowed to pressure," he said.
Barnabas Tinkasimire, the Buyaga West MP, says the Chief Whip is gravely mistaken, saying they will not allow her to bully them. According to Tinkasimire, it is the chief whip who needs sensitization since she didn't ensure that members report what they got on the ground.
"She is the one misleading; she's even being deceived by some members on the results of the consultations. Although they are happy about the seven years extended tenure for MPs, that will also get over and they will have to face their voters" he said.
On Wednesday, parliament approved the removal of the 75 year- upper cap limit for the president and reduced the lower cap to 18 years. This has eliminated the last hurdle for President Yoweri Museveni to extend his stay in power once he clocks the 75 years age limit that was provided for in the constitution.
