By; Francis Lubega
Parliament has this afternoon approved a motion for the continuity of the controversial ‘Age Limit’ bill, which seeks to lift the cap on the Presidential age from the constitution.
A total of 317 MPs voted in favor of the motion while 97 members voted against. Two members abstained and a few like the state minister for ICT Ida Nantaba and Kampala woman MP Nabbila Ssempala among others did not appear.
Out of a total of 451 members of the 10th parliament 419 MPs appeared for the vote and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party which commands a numerical strength of over 320 MPs only needed 289 votes, constituting two-thirds majority of the 436 legislators entitled to vote, for the bill to sail through to the next stage.
Voting was by roll call and tally, in line with rule 89 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure.
The rule stipulates that voting at the second and third readings of the Bill for an Act of Parliament to amend a provision of the Constitution has to be by roll call and tally.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party which commands a numerical advantage in the 10th parliament needed 290 votes, constituting two-thirds of the 436 legislators entitled to vote, for the bill to sail through to the next stage.
The Constitutional Amendment (No.2) Bill, 2017 fronted by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi caused rifts among MPs and the voters but in the final debate the NRM side was caught by surprise to see their members like; Kibanda west MP Henry Maurice Kibalya , Bigirwa Norah woman Mp Buliisa , and Hellen Kahunde woman mp Kiryandongo , Oketayot Catherine woman Mp Padel district, Denis Sabiiti of Rubanda west and Justine Kayinza Bududa woman Mp are among openly opposed to the lifting of the age limit
However those who surprised the house include former Forum for Democratic Change loyalists; that is Bukedea Woman MP, Ms Anita Among and Kitgum Municipality MP Beatrice Anywar have voted in favour of the bill.
However before the voting exercise the 6 MPs who were suspended of indiscipline; Ntungamo Municpality MP Gerald Karuhanga, Erute South MP Jonathan Odur, Kiira Municplaity’s Ibrahim Ssemujju , Allan Sewanyana of Makindye West, Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa and Kilak North’s Anthony Akol through their lawyers of Lukwago and co-advocates including Medard Lubega Segona and Winfred Niwagaba has secured a court order from the high court judge Ouma oguli ordering the speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutahan to appear in court by 2pm over the unlawful suspension of the MPs.
However efforts to serve the speaker ended in another scuffle and arrests of the two Lawyers by the police led by the Kampala South Regional Police Commander Siraje Bakaleke and they were still detained in undisclosed place.
Court adjourned the case to January 28th next year on grounds that the state attorney Bafirawala Elia had not receive summons and could not make any response.
The speaker Kadaga while starting this afternoon session rebuffed the MP’s court order saying parliament cannot be served while in session.
However the leader lawyer Elias Lukwago says blocking access to parliament was intentional and against justice.
Next:
Previous:
