By Mary Kisakye
KAMPALA–The contentious age limit bill has Tuesday October 3, been tabled for first reading in Parliament.
The bill, tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi, seeks to scrap the age limit of 75 years for persons seeking the highest office in the country.
The bill which sparked off chaos in Parliament last week has been a subject of debate with many people, including religious leaders saying it is not necessary to change Article 102 (b) of the Constitution while a section of people, especially within the ruling NRM party, contend that it is not fair to discriminate people on the basis of age.
“I beg to lay on table the Bill titled, “The Constitution Amendment Bill 2017 accompanied with the Certificate of Financial implications as provided under section 36 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015 our rules of procedure Rule 107,” Magyezi presented.
The bill was seconded by several legislators before being sent to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee chaired the West Budama Independent MP, Jacob Oboth Oboth for perusal.
The committee will upon consultations with stakeholders issue a report to be discussed by Parliament when the bill come up again for second reading.
But Speaker Rebecca Kadaga urged members to engage the public on the contentious bill.
She said the bill touches, among others, Article 1 and 2 of the Constitution and requires involvement of the general public.
