Gen Mugisha Muntu asked to get tough on age-limit

The Forum for Democratic Change – FDC delegates from Ankole sub region have asked the party president, Gen Mugisha Muntu, to speak strongly on the issue of the presidential age limits.

Muntu, who is currently campaigning in Ankole region ahead of the FDC elections in November, was meeting party delegates from Mbarara district at Acacia Hotel.

Daniel Kafureka, the FDC secretary for Mbarara revealed that party members are concerned over the slow pace being taken by Muntu, who is seeking a second term as leader of Uganda’s biggest opposition political party.

Kafureka said that the move by the ruling NRM party to amend the constitution and extend President Museveni’s rule beyond 35 years threatens to throw the country into chaos.

Mweteise Bintabara, the Kiruhura district FDC chairperson, revealed that some party members would want to see Muntu, a former commander of the national army, give a firm position on the ongoing age limit debate.

In his response, Muntu revealed that he has worked hard to challenge the move to amend article 102(b) of the constitution, contrary to the belief of some party members who accuse him of being passive.

Muntu revealed that the most important issue now is building the party and making it stronger to tackle the challenges ahead.

He further revealed that the party is now focusing on upholding internal democracy, adding that there is need for opposition political parties to do away with internal bickering if they are to successfully challenge NRM.

He said that he has never been a coward and wants the best for Ugandans.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is backing a private member’s bill tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi seeking amendment of article 102(b) from the constitution.

Article 102(b) says a person is not qualified to be president of Uganda if he or she is aged above 75 years or below 35 years.

The bill has received support from President Museveni who would be ineligible to contest for presidency in 2021 under the current provision.

Museveni who will be aged 77 in 2021 says the constitution is discriminatory.

By 2021 Museveni will have ruled the country for 35 years.

Born in 1944, Museveni captured power in 1986 as a 42-year-old guerrilla after successfully leading a five-year war against the successive governments of Dr Apollo Milton Obote and General Tito Okello Lutwa.

He has since won elections five times in 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, though there have been allegations electoral malpractices.