Ugandan police bans demo as parliament debates presidential age limit

Ugandan police has issued a notice banning all street demonstrations as parliament debates the constitutional amendment to scrap the presidential age limit.

The Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura said in a statement on Wednesday that planners of demonstrations can use other forms other than processions to allow parliament to “debate in peace”.

He explained that they received information about groups planning to use the cover of processions to “cause violence and mayhem” and that the police is obligated to keep law and order.

“For avoidance of doubt, this measure applies to both supporters and opponents of the removal of the age limit from the constitution,” the statement added.

Press Release: IGPUGANDA on planned processions in the city. pic.twitter.com/LM1v6QtawQ

— Uganda Police Force (PoliceUg) September 20, 2017

Some 14 youth activists were arrested on Monday in the capital Kampala while campaigning against the removal of presidential age limit.

In July, some youth opposition groups launched a similar campaign and were arrested in the process for unlawful assembly.

Members of Parliament of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and some independent MPs passed a resolution to debate the removal of the presidential age limit currently pegged at 75.

The debate starts today and if passed, President Yoweri Museveni can contest in the next elections.

In 2005, a constitutional amendment was made removing the two-term limit for the presidency to allow the president to run for a third-term which he won.

Museveni, who is now 73, will be two years older than the current age limit in the 2021 election.