Opposition leaders have issued a warning against the Minister Without Portfolio in the Cabinet of Uganda, Al Hajj Abdul Nadduli and Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda saying that the duo should stop castigating and intimidating religious leaders who do not support the anticipated move by a branch of legislatures to amend Article 102(b) of the Uganda Constitution.
Article 102(b) stipulates that a person is qualified for election as President if that person is not less than 35 years and not more than 75 years of age.
Ken Lukyamuzi (CP), Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA) and Alice Alaso (FDC) said during a press conference at the opposition Headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Wakiso District that scribes to the NRM partly should not by any means silence clerics who have come out to voice their views against lifting the presidential age limit.
Hajji Abdul Nadduli in September issued a statement telling clergy to go slow on age limit debate. He said that although they [religious leaders] have the liberty to talk about politics, they should not forget that Janan Luwum was killed. He also said many opposed to age limit have received luxuries from the President before, calling them “double sided.”
The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda on the other hand said when he appeared before the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leaders of Kanungu District at Kanungu District Council hall on Thursday that clerics should “go slow on the words they say about the age limit bill.”
“We have [the] capacity to shut them down,” Dr Ruhakana added.
Ken Lukyamuzi used the presser at to respond to Abdul Nadduli’s statement: “The funds President Museveni uses to procure cars given to clergy are from tax payers money,” he said.
He went on to say that religious leaders play a vital role in the country, this should be allowed to speak out.
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
