Kyadondo East MP, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi famously known as Bobi Wine has revealed that they will do anything they can to resist the Age Limit bill that seeks to remove the Age limit cap from the Constitution.
“Together with the Members of Parliament who love this country, we shall do our best to prevent our country from descending into anarchy,” Bobi Wine wrote on his Facebook page before adding that;
“We shall resist Magezi’s Bill as much as we can. We shall do everything within our power to defend democracy and constitutionalism”
Below is Bobi Wine’s full statement.
Fellow Ugandans,
Today we go back to Parliament. As expected, the point of discussion in the coming days will be the infamous Bill to remove presidential age-limits in our Constitution- the very last hope Ugandans ever had for a peaceful transfer of power from one president to another and from one generation to another.
Dear friends, together with the Members of Parliament who love this country, we shall do our best to prevent our country from descending into anarchy. We shall resist Magezi’s Bill as much as we can. We shall do everything within our power to defend democracy and constitutionalism.
We shall implore our colleagues to think about Uganda before they think about personal benefit. We shall remind them that they swore to protect the Constitution which mandates Parliament to make laws for the good governance of Uganda. We shall remind them that they represent the people and not themselves.
As you all remember, the Bill was brought to Parliament in the most unconventional way. Parliament was attacked and some Members were beaten to near death. Members were told to go and consult- but those who are perceived to oppose the Bill were not allowed to consult. Police broke up our joint rallies and stopped us from moving between constituencies.
Those who support the Bill were given police protection. Of course they did not consult the masses who were clearly hostile to their message.
Majority of them resorted to meeting a few people in halls surrounded by guns. Recently, NRM added new members to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to try and influence the outcome of the Committee. The men and women of substance who appeared advised that the Constitution should remain intact. Others like the Uganda Law Society, the Inter-religious Council, Makerere Law lecturers, and others refused to appear before the Committee- not to be seen to legitimise an illegitimate process.
The Committee ignored all that. Then they met with President Museveni- a man who only few years ago vowed never to stand after 75 years. He rightly said that after 75, a leader has no vigor to run a country. But this time round, he turned around. Like many Ugandans, I watched him in utmost shock, disbelief and disgust. What are we supposed to learn from our leaders?
This is the sad state of affairs.
But that is not enough. A recent study showed that 85% of you, the people of Uganda, are opposed to this amendment. You have made it clear that the Constitution should remain intact so that it can serve our generation and the generations to come. That is why I oppose this amendment.
I have nothing personal against President Museveni. I have everything against his greed for power. We all know where that ends. Nations have been plunged into untold chaos and suffering because of leaders who could not realize that it was time up.
After 35 years, President Museveni has nothing else to offer except continuing to lead our country back to the dark days. My appeal to him would be to drop his evil ambition in favor of a good future for this country. But I know that no amount of persuasion can appeal to him. Like all dictators of the past, they usually wait until it is too late.
Therefore, my message to all democracy lovers is that this is not an issue between NRM and the opposition. Not at all. This is about Uganda. It is a fight between President Museveni’s greed for power and wishes/ aspirations of the citizens of this country. If there is a time when Ugandans ever united in purpose, it should be now.
Each of us in our own way- small or big, can make our contribution towards building a democratic nation.
Young men and women of Uganda, we have a chance to make our historical contribution. All power belongs to, us the people. We cannot wait for another savior or liberator. OUR PARENTS RELIED ON MUSEVENI. BUT SEE WHAT HE IS DOING TO THIS NATION.
We do not need another strong man or woman. We need OUR SELVES. We shouldn’t wait for our children and their children to ask us- ‘WHAT DID YOU DO, WHEN THE NATION CAME TO THIS POINT?’
For God and My country.
#Togikwatako
#Freedom
