NRM to kick start referendum campaign on extending presidential tenure

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is  set to launch a nationwide campaign to popularise a move to extend the presidential tenure of office from five to seven years.

Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa said at the party fete yesterday in Kiboga that the campaign shall be dubbed: "Align and Arrive 777."

President Museveni declared the 317 MPs who voted for the removal of the age-limit as "historicals" saying they had made a fundamental decision.

Parliament removed the age limit for person's seeking the office of the president and other local government offices in December 2017, eliminating the last hurdle for President Museveni to seek reelection when his term of office ends in 2021. He is now aged 73, and would not be eligible for another term of office.Nankabirwa who doubles as the Kiboga Woman MP told journalists that during the campaign they are to explain to the public what MPs passed during last year's constitutional amendment.

"What is remaining is doing everything possible to align the organs of government with the 7 year term as it was passed for the Members of Parliament. We shall do it through a referendum, we shall start talking about a referendum which was passed by cabinet and the EC should organise for the elections soon," Nankabirwa said.

She added that from Kiboga, they will  start constituency visits to seek the mandate of the electorate on the need for the referendum.

Meanwhile, at the NRM fete in Kiboga where thousands converged, red colours are not allowed at the Sazza grounds where celebrations were held.

The red colour was used by MPs and a section of the public to demonstrate against the amendment of Article 102(b).

Sections of public who appeared at the celebration grounds with red caps and scarfs were told to hand them over at the security check points.