Uganda’s powerful opposition establishment Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has warned the regime of a looming political crisis if article (102) of the constitution is amended to enable the current President to contest for the 6th term of office.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, chairman of the ruling party NRM, constitutionally is not supposed to contest again as he will have clocked 75 years of age in next general elections, but high ranking government officials have kicked off a ploy to review the constitution and scrap off the age limit law.
The law (article 102) stipulates that for one to qualify to stand for the highest office in the land, he/she should be above 18 years and blow 75, this leaves the NRM heavyweight out.
Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, FDC mouthpiece Hon Ssemujju Nganda threatened that the country could be headed for harsh political times.
“We warn Museveni to tame his appetite for power and whoever is willing to help him, shall become a primary target for destruction. This is a battle for not only FDC but all Ugandans,” he sounded warning.
Ssemujju is the opposition chief whip and subscribes to the radical class of the party whose ideology is extremism- as a means of capturing power.
“If he doesn’t stop himself, we have got no option but force him to stop his bad activities for the betterment of the country,” he added.
Justice Minister Hon Kahinda Otafiire previously stated that article 102 is not a commandment from God, therefore Ugandans can choose to amend or leave it.
Most of the NRM legislators have exhibited readiness to amend the constitution.
A section of unknown Ugandans have created whatsapp groups and have begun witch-hunting some of the lawmakers believed to be behind the amendment process.
The development has already raised dust as some opposition members have been accused to being enticed by cash advances from government to back Museveni’s deemed life presidency.
Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said the recent publication of a notice in the Uganda Gazette to enable President Museveni appoint a constitutional review commission was being “vulgarized” and that “the opposition could lose debate aimed at revamping the Constitution.”
He further said “Ugandans should also watch out for scavengers looking for soft money as they raise the stakes.”
Ugandans have never witnessed a peaceful transition of power since the country attained independence.
The current leadership contested the 1980 presidential polls before launching a guerrilla war against Dr Apollo Milton Obote’s government.
In 1986, NRA/M captured power.
In his previous quotes, President Museveni said problems of Africa as a continent stem from leaders who want to over stay in power.
He has since ruled for 30 years and still counting.
