In short
CEC resolved to support the bill which is now before the legal committee of Parliament, according to a statement issued by the acting NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has approved a private member's bill seeking to remove the cap on the presidential age from the Constitution.
The meeting called by President Yoweri Museveni, the party chairman, was mainly discussing the Constitutional Amendment tabled before parliament by the Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi.
In a statement issued by the Acting Secretary General of NRM, Richard Todwong, CEC resolved to support the bill which is now before the legal committee of Parliament.
"CEC resolved to popularize this decision to all the structures and membership of the NRM, and the entire country, guiding and mobilizing them accordingly." reads part of the statement.
He added that; "In the spirit and culture of democracy that the NRM fought for and believes in, we call upon the population to be respectful and tolerant of all the diverse views that may be peacefully and lawfully expressed during the process."
However, URN has learnt that the resolution met a lot of resistance from within the committee.
Some of these members in disagreement include Simon Peter Aleper and Godfrey Nyakaana, the Karamoja and Central NRM Vice-Chairpersons respectively. Other members who have openly criticized the proposed amendment are Gaddafi Nasur, the NRM Youth League Chairperson and Western Region's Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza. CEC is comprised of 29 members.
URN also learnt that the CEC members raised the issue with the parliamentary caucus overshadowing the party organ when it came out to endorse the bill. However, sources say that an explanation was given that the bill is a private member's bill and it first came up during a caucus meeting.
Once endorsed by parliament, the bill will allow the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni to seek reelection when his term of office ends in 2021. He is now aged 73, and would not be eligible for another term of office.
The meeting called by President Yoweri Museveni, the party chairman, was mainly discussing the Constitutional Amendment tabled before parliament by the Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi.
In a statement issued by the Acting Secretary General of NRM, Richard Todwong, CEC resolved to support the bill which is now before the legal committee of Parliament.
"CEC resolved to popularize this decision to all the structures and membership of the NRM, and the entire country, guiding and mobilizing them accordingly." reads part of the statement.
He added that; "In the spirit and culture of democracy that the NRM fought for and believes in, we call upon the population to be respectful and tolerant of all the diverse views that may be peacefully and lawfully expressed during the process."
However, URN has learnt that the resolution met a lot of resistance from within the committee.
Some of these members in disagreement include Simon Peter Aleper and Godfrey Nyakaana, the Karamoja and Central NRM Vice-Chairpersons respectively. Other members who have openly criticized the proposed amendment are Gaddafi Nasur, the NRM Youth League Chairperson and Western Region's Maj. Gen. Matayo Kyaligonza. CEC is comprised of 29 members.
URN also learnt that the CEC members raised the issue with the parliamentary caucus overshadowing the party organ when it came out to endorse the bill. However, sources say that an explanation was given that the bill is a private member's bill and it first came up during a caucus meeting.
Once endorsed by parliament, the bill will allow the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni to seek reelection when his term of office ends in 2021. He is now aged 73, and would not be eligible for another term of office.
