Gospel musician and Member of Parliament, Hon Judith Babirye this afternoon said ‘yes’ to amending the controversial Constitution Amendment Bill, 2017 on the presidential age limit.
This happened when Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga granted the Parliament clerk authority to call out each MP’s name, who in response would vote as follows — “yes,” or “No” or “I abstain.” For those with disabilities, the use of a recognized sign language was agreed upon by the House in line with the rules of procedure.
The Bill seeks to scrap Article 102 (b) of the 1995 Constitution that limits the age of a president to 75 years. It also seeks to lower the age for presidential candidates to below the current 35.
Judith Babirye, representing Buikwe District, vowed during a consultative meeting at her constituency in November to stand for the interest of her electorate regarding the raging debate.
“This is up to you. You did not send me [to Parliament] to present my own interests. You sent me to express your views. If a hundred tell me ‘togikwatato’ and two say ‘gikwateko’, that is what I will report to parliament,” she said.
UG Christian News has also learnt that former Forum for Democratic Change figures; Bukedea Woman MP, Ms Anita Among and Ms Beatrice Anywar of Kitgum Municipality voted in favour of the bill.
Further more, Pastor Peter Sematimba, representing Busiro South County voted in support of the Raphael Magyezi bill.
By press time, voting on the motion for the 2nd reading of the constitution Amendment Bill (2) 2017 had closed, with the required 290 votes attained.
male@ugchristiannews.com
