{"id":1326,"date":"2018-01-12T03:27:56","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T03:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/baileyonlineclassroom.com\/subsaharanafricablog\/?p=1326"},"modified":"2018-01-12T03:27:56","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T03:27:56","slug":"with-age-limit-abolished-ugandans-fear-they-are-stuck-with-president-museveni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baileyonlineclassroom.com\/subsaharanafricablog\/2018\/01\/12\/with-age-limit-abolished-ugandans-fear-they-are-stuck-with-president-museveni\/","title":{"rendered":"With Age Limit Abolished, Ugandans Fear They Are \u2018Stuck\u2019 With President Museveni"},"content":{"rendered":"

https:\/\/www.scribd.com\/article\/368961747\/With-Age-Limit-Abolished-Ugandans-Fear-They-Are-Stuck-With-President-Museveni<\/p>\n

In early January 2018, a cloud of despair settled on Ugandan social media after the country’s president\u00a0signed a law<\/a>\u00a0that lifts the the upper age limit for the presidency even after a survey indicated that a majority of\u00a0Ugandans oppose the change.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The amendment to Uganda’s constitution means\u00a0that President Yoweri Museveni, who is 73, can run for a sixth term in 2021 and possibly extend his 32-year rule, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa.<\/p>\n

The controversial law also\u00a0extended the tenure<\/a>\u00a0of Ugandan lawmakers from five to seven years.<\/p>\n

The changes come at a time when the space for civic engagement has narrowed and authorities are continually cracking down on dissenting voices.<\/p>\n

Museveni last won elections in 2016, a vote during which the opposition had verylittle access<\/a>\u00a0to the media and journalists and members of civil society experienced intimidation. \u201cLocal observers said the elections were not free and fair,\u201d reported Human Rights Watch in its\u00a0World Report 2017<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Violations of freedom of association, expression, assembly, and the use of excessive force by security officials continued during campaigns and into the post-election period. Opposition presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was held in preventative detention at his home for over a month while trying to challenge election results.<\/p>\n

The police used unlawful means including live ammunition to prevent peaceful opposition gatherings and protests, at times resulting in loss of life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

During the age limit debate, 25 of members of parliament, mostly from\u00a0opposition parties<\/a>, were suspended.<\/p>\n

Ugandan political opposition groups had fought the bill before it got to the president for his signature \u2014 figuratively and literally. At various points, the situation came to blows in the parliament. In December, members voted 315 to 62 to allow for removal of the age limit.<\/p>\n

Many Ugandans expressed anger when Museveni signed the bill into law on January 2.\u00a0One Twitter user named Oma wrote:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
2 Jan<\/a><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/span>NTV UGANDA<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n

\u2714<\/b><\/span><\/span>@ntvuganda<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n

President Museveni signs Age limit bill into law. The amendment extends the MPs term of office by 7 years, brings back term limits into the constitution, and allows individuals above the age of 75 to stand for president. #<\/span>NTVNews<\/span><\/a> http:\/\/<\/span>ntv.co.ug\/live?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ntvuganda\u00a0<\/span>\u2026<\/a>http:\/\/<\/span>bit.ly\/2A4srTu?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_ntvuganda\u00a0<\/span>\u2026<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/1XgZFOlBHE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/span>Oma<\/span><\/span>@OliveMusigo<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n

32 yrs of inefficiency and we are now stuck with this incompetent, self serving individual whose government is characteristic of nepotism!<\/p>\n

3:47 AM – Jan 2, 2018<\/a><\/div>\n