When talk of amending article 102(b) of the constitution started, many Ugandans – me inclusive – feared for the worst.
We expected it, we saw it coming and no matter how much pressure, fist fights, chair throwing or mega rallies the opposition made, Mzee Joel had to get his wish eventually given that the real opposition (The people) simply sat in the comfort of their living rooms and offices to watch the proceedings in parliament on television. (Instead of taking to the streets).
Just like Allan Kasujja, I too would give a hot one to whoever told me that this amendment wasn’t intended to solely benefit and satisfy Museveni’s hunger for power. The man simply doesn’t want to go, that is why he invested billions of shillings in bribing his NRM parliamentary puppets.Those against the amendment note that this would be giving Museveni chance to rule for life which the Old man dismisses.
To him, those things of sijui term and age limits are “technicalities” which cannot stand in the way of a revolutionary. He says that even without them, the people will every after five years vote whoever they want to govern them. “If the people don’t want you, they vote you out.”
But you see his argument is so laughable. How will people vote out an incumbent who has thrived on massive election rigging? This is what the opposition means when they say he will rule for life. You cannot beat Museveni in an election and that article (102b) was the only thing we looked up to for help.
Now that that bottleneck is gone, will he rule for life? I am not sure, but what I am sure of is that he will finally go and that is where I want to focus.
As they touched it, clearly against the will of the majority of their constituents, the dishonorable legislators also voted to reinstate the 2-term presidential limit and this is a plus for us (If it is not scrapped again in the near future).
The argument that many democracies worldwide have no presidential age limit is true and this is the road we are taking, is it bad with the term limits back? No! but this will only work if we are not with Museveni at the helm of things.
We can have another honest president under the new amendment but if it remains Museveni, he will keep amending, creating more constituencies and bring us more empty heads to parliament.
I will not even say anything about that seven-year thing or that clueless opposition.
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Jonathan Kamoga
Journalist
