Hon. Mukasa addressing mourners at the burial of Evelyn Nakiryowa’s mother in Masuliita-Kanjeyo, yesterday. He was flanked by Lubaga councilors
BY MEDDIE KITYO
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
LUBAGA South legislator Aloysius Talton Gold Mukasa has sent a strong warning message to the people he has referred to as NRM opportunists not to risk ever thinking that they can cause a constitutional ammendment to deny Ugandans a right to elect their president.
Government has however denied any attempt to change election system in Uganda. Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi on Wednesday said that information is fake.
A group of ruling NRM party candidates who lost in the previous parliamentary elections are behind the proposal to have the country’s president elected by parliament not by adult suffrage.
Calling themselves ‘Transformer Cadres Association Uganda’ with Felix Adupa Ongwech who lost in the Kioga County MP election as the president, the group told journalists on Thursday that they have prepared several proposals that they want to present to the NRM national chairman for consideration.
“We have a proposal to amend electoral laws and other legislation to pave way for a hybrid parliamentary system where the head of government who also doubles as the Head of State is elected by parliament and local government councils.” Adupa told journalists.
They also proposed the creation of a Senate or Upper House in parliament. Members of the senate of Upper House will be nominated by political parties with representation in parliament. Representation in Senate will be according to strength of parties in the lower house. This is intended to rise the quality of debate in as far as legislation is concerned.”
The group told journalists that such a proposal would help reduce issues like the huge budgetary sums injected into elections by government every five years.
PREPARE FOR A SHOWDOWN- MP MUKASA
While addressing mourners at Masuulita-Kanjeyo at the burial of councilor Evelyn Nakiryowa’s mother yesterday, Hon. Mukasa said, this country went into a guerilla war in 1981 and then rebel leaders pledged to bring rule of law and democracy, where Ugandans would choose leaders of their choice and determine which system of governance they want. It is not up to someone or a group of people to dictate who to lead them. Masuulita was one of the most affected areas during this guerilla war. Hundreds lost their lives and property.
Flanked by Lubaga councilors, Hon. Mukasa warned that, “If any one wants to destabilise this country, let him or her dare bring that nosense. What you saw in 2017 during the 10th Parliament age limit amendments debate was just a curtain raiser.”
“Wait and see what will happen, good, this time NUP is in the driving seat, expect a serious showdown country wide. They will have to first kill all Ugandans, otherwise, this will never pass.” Vowed Lubaga South legislator.
For starters, chaotic scenes broke out in Uganda’s parliament as MPs debated the contentious removal of the presidential age limit.
Tempers flared and security men said to be officers from the Special Forces Command (SFC) donning suits raided MPs during a plenary session, beating and throwing out opposition legislators.
Although article 102 (b) was amended enabling President Museveni to run again in 2021, Ugandans remained divided on this and Uganda’s reputation was dented world over.
The opposition National Unity Platform MP Mukasa, who fellow politicians say is a silent strategist reminded the agitators to scrap right for Ugandans to elect their President that, what they will experience this time will be worse. Ugandans are ready to die defending their constitution.
In 1994, a Constituent Assembly was established to represent Ugandans and to debate the Draft Constitution prepared by the Uganda Constitutional Commission. In 1995 a Constitution for Uganda was enacted.
Hon. Mukasa said, Ugandans must exercise their sovereign and inalienable right to determine the form of governance for their country, having fully participated in the Constitution-making process and this will never be deterred.
Lubaga South people have already notified their MP to vote against any attempt to deny citizens the right to elect their President because this is why NRA picked guns in 1981 to fitht dictatorship.
The constitution of the Republic of Uganda protects the right to vote. The right to vote is fundamental because it directly affects other rights to the extent that the leaders we vote into power determine whether the rule of law will be upheld or not.
Every citizen of Uganda of eighteen years of age or above has a right to vote. This places a duty on every citizen of 18 years of age and above to register as a voter for public elections or referenda.
The constitution also places a duty upon the state to take all necessary steps to ensure that all citizens qualified to vote register and exercise their right to vote.
Hon. Mukasa said, “We will protect the rights of all citizens to elect their president. A Parliament which was raided by security forces, opposition MPs clobbered and some even got permanent fractures, can’t be empowered to elect President. What if the same forces raid parliament again, throw away and arrest MPs which oppose election of President to be done by Parliament? We are going to mobilise millions of Ugandans to fail this move. Enough is enough.”
Quoting the Constitution of Republic of Uganda, the Preamble states that; We the People of Uganda:
Recalling our history which has been characterised by political and constitutional instability;
Recognising our struggles against the forces of tyranny, oppression and exploitation;
We are committed to building a bright future by establishing a socio-economic and political order through a popular and durable national Constitution based on the principles of unity, peace, equality, democracy, freedom, social justice and progress.
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