There was a low turn up of NRM supporters at the age limit consultation rally organised by Burahya County Member of Parliament Margaret Muhanga and addressed by President Yoweri Museveni.
The rally, organised on Thursday afternoon, had received week-long massive publicity on local radio stations, including promises of transport to and from Karambi Play Ground in Kabarole district, the venue of the rally.
Unlike in Fort Portal where the consultation meetings organised by area MPs have attracted large masses, the president’s rally was poorly attended despite intensive publicity by National Resistance Movement-NRM party officials.
Majority of those who attended were district councillors, Local Council 3 Chairpersons, members of the NRM district executive committee and pupils from nearby schools.
As early as 8:00am more than four buses belonging to Kalita Transporters ferried supporters from Kichwamba, Kasenda, Ruteete, Busoro and Bukuku sub counties that make up Burahya County. Nyakasura School, Kyebambe Girls School and Mpanga School also provided buses to ferry the supporters.
In each of the buses, there were not more than 50 supporters all dressed in yellow T-shirts and with yellow ribbons tied on the head.
Beatrice Kabasiita, a resident of Karago town council says that they were given 10,000 shillings on condition they attend the rally.
At the rally, Museveni shied away from discussing the age limit, instead focusing on highlighting the achievements of the government since 1986. He also warned doctors currently on strike that they will regret their actions.
The rally organised by MP Muhanga was initially supposed to be a consultative meeting on the proposed amendment of Article 102(b) of the constitution. Muhanga also made no mention of the age limit, leaving some NRM supporters to question what the rally was all about.
Muhanga is a key supporter of a private member’s bill that seeks to amend the constitution and remove presidential age limits. The bill, tabled last month by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, seeks to repeal Article 102(b) which bars people below 35 and those above 75 from standing for president.
Those who support the bill say the clause is inconsistent with the constitution as it discriminates people on the basis of their age.
President Museveni stands to benefit directly if the amendment is pushed through. In power since 1986, President Museveni would not be eligible to contest in the 2021 elections as he will be 77 years.
The rally attracted former MPs from Kabarole who included Victoria Rusoke, the former Woman MP Kabarole, Steven Basaliza who represented Burahya County in the 7th Parliament, Henry Basaliza, the former MP Fort Portal Municipality and Steven Kaliba who also represented Fort Portal Municipality in the 8th Parliament.
MPs Alex Ruhunda for Fort Portal Municipality and Sylvia Rwabwogo, the Woman MP Kabarole, who are against the removal of the presidential age limits, shunned the rally.
Bishops Reuben Kisembo of Ruwenzori Diocese and Robert Muhiirwa of Fort Portal Diocese, both of who have spoken out against the removal of presidential age limits, did not attend the rally. However, Bishop Jimmy Katuramu of the United Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, Pastor KL Dickson of Kabarole Christian Fellowship Church and Sheikh Talib Hussein, the District Khadi Tooro attended.
Other guests wereTooro Queen Mother Best Kemigisa and Harriet Nyakake, the Deputy Kingdom Prime Minister.
Christine Asiimwe, a resident of Karambi Sub County says that the President should not have wasted tax payers’ money to attend the rally. She says that there are important issues the President should address such as the doctor’s strike.
