The Minister of Finance and Planning, Matia Kashaija, has expressed concern over the ongoing debate on the lifting of the presidential age limit.
Addressing journalists Thursday at his office, Kashaija said the ongoing violence in the country will hurt the country’s economy.
“Money hates noise. Whenever it hears noise, it runs away. If we are to debate this bill, let’s do it quietly without the outside world getting to know but whenever we make noise, investors think the country is on fire and run away,” he noted.
His comments came just hours after a stand-off between Opposition leaders, their supporters and the police in Rukungiri district over political mobilisation against the lifting of the presidential age limit.
The scuffle left at least one person dead and others with serious wounds as police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse opposition supporters.
He noted that such heated atmosphere in the country could further slow down the economy. Hours after his comments, there was again another confrontation between opposition leaders and police as the latter attempted to block their rally in Natete, Lubaga North in Kampala.
The scuffle ended up in the arrest of Opposition leaders including Kato Lubwama, Alan Ssewanyana, Moses Kasibante and Muhammad Nsereko.
The arrest ended up with police firing teargas into opposition supporters. A similar incident happened on Tuesday in Kasubi, Lubaga North as police tried to disperse a consultative rally that had been hosted by the area MP Moses Kasibante.
Kasaija said if this is not dealt with, it would further affect an economy that has been struggling for the last two years.
