The use of red ribbon by the opposition figures in Uganda against the lifting of the Presidential age limit, this Wednesday afternoon has divided city councilors.
In the authority meeting convened by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, on Wednesday, to discuss the affairs of city markets, NRM councilors who are the minority at city hall, expressed displeasure about the wearing of the red ribbons by FDC and DP councilors.
The NRM councilors raised a point order asking the Lord Mayor whether putting on red ribbons was not indecently dressing. They requested the Lord Mayor to order the councilors wearing red ribbons to remove them on their heads.
Responding to them, the Lord Mayor ruled, “this is a school setting, where there is an adopted standard school uniform.”
The Lord Mayor ’s ruling, the opposition councilors welcomed it, applauding him. Opposition figures including Lukwago are putting on red ribbons, as a symbol for fighting against amending Article 102(b) of the Constitution, to lift the age limit.
Last week, they launched the campaign. On Tuesday, the Police arrested Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, FDC national mobilizer Ingrid Turinawe, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Hon. Ibrahim Semujju Nganda.
The Lord Mayor and Ms Ingrid Turinawe were detained at Kira Police Station, after being picked from their residential homes. The Lord Mayor was picked from his home wearing a red ribbon. Both of them were released in the evening, while Ms Ingrid Turinawe was arrested in the city center, riding on the bodaboda cycles, clad in a red jacket.
Police said they were organizing to demonstrate in the city center. Upon releasing the Lord Mayor, they had the whole of Tuesday under detention, describing it as Police torture.
“Persecution and harassment shall not deter us from reminding Ugandans of the Constitutional command to resist all forms of manipulations intended to entrench a personal rule in our country,” the Lord Mayor argued.
Lifting age limit is a contentious issue, dividing the country into groups. Some Ugandans are supporting the removal of age limit, arguing that it is discriminatory while others are opposing it saying the project is done to make President Yoweri Museveni, to rule for life.
