By Katabarwa Ronald
Record straight, I write this as an NRM supporter and leader at some level. Two weeks ago, news came in on how the NRM parliamentary Caucus was plotting yet another constitutional amendment to bar those below 45 years from running for President.
We must first remind ourselves that this is the same Article that was amended in December, 2017, kicking out the 35 and 75 as age cap for the Presidency.
I am opposed to this Amendment and my point of departure with the caucus, is informed by four areas. However, I will need guidance if I am wrong.
We cannot amend the constitution out of panic. Such an amendment clearly shows that the NRM parliamentarians have started doing what they do best- panicking. President Museveni throughout the ages has been daring where nobody else dares.
He has been Amending the Constitution towards bravery rather than cowardice. In 1971 while in Nairobi, John Kazoora(Uncle to maama Janet) asked Museveni on what he was doing in Nairobi. President Museveni was bold and brave enough to say "I am fighting Amin." As early as then, poor Museveni was already daring at the most notorious Dictator Uganda has ever had.
Few years later, Museveni led Kikosi Malumu to overwhelm the dictatorship in Kampala and over through Amin in 1979. Two years thereafter, President Museveni led a 27 armed group to launch a guerilla warfare in Luweero that took power after 5 years. A group of 27 people poorly trained and equipped taking power after 5 years? Isn't this daring where nobody would?
Go on to the 2004 term limit Amendment that kicked out term limits in Uganda. By then, President Museveni had led this Country for 18years, enough years to lose an election. He dared at it again, removed the term limit, ran again and won comfortably. This was yet another move toward the bravery end. President Olesgun Obasanjo of Nigeria tried it in 2005 and failed to pass it in Parliament. Nkurunziza has tried it and hit a deadlock end. Let's keep moving to the bravery end where nobody else dares.
2021 is an already done deal for President Museveni. It is public knowledge that the Amendment is meant to technically stop Hon. Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) from running for the Presidency. But Kyagulanyi is no big deal to President Museveni. The opposition will likely not front a joint candidate like it was in 2016 because of the already self manifesting infighting in the Opposition. This is a plus for President Museveni that guarantees his victory in 2021.
Thirdly, how else do you put Kyagulanyi away from the political spectrum of this Nation other than subjecting him to an election, defeat him and kick him off the ladder like Mbabazi? The 2021 election to me should be an opportunity for the NRM and President Museveni to put Kyagulanyi where he belongs. This can be successfully done through an election. Barring him from participation would keep him relevant in society a bit longer unnecessarily.
Fourthly, why didn't you put this age cap when you amended this same article? In December, 2017, you amended the same Article (102b) to remove the 35 years as minimum and 75 years as maximum to run for the Presidency, if you(NRM Parliamentary Caucus) were really good strategists why didn't you amend from 35 to 45 other than moving it from 35 to 18 and a year later having realised your mistake, return to show us your weaknesses? Please spare us of your politics of try and error.
For these reasons, I beg President Museveni, CEC and other organs of the party to reject the self seeking move by the Parliamentary Caucus with the contempt it deserves.
I thank you.
great
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