Lawmakers in Uganda on Wednesday voted on the controversial bill seeking to remove the presidential age limit in the country’s constitution.
The vote was carried out with a two-thirds majority of lawmakers after a heated debate this week marred by violence during some sessions.
The voting process lasted for about two hours with 317 MPs voting in favour, 97 against while two MPs abstained.
Wednesday’s vote in Parliament means the constitution would now be amended to reflect the changes.
Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga has now referred the bill to the House committee for further scrutiny saying “With 317 voting in favour, therefore, the motion must be carried forward.”
Before the voting process, two lawmakers were detained when they tried entering the parliament house marking second day of violence in the legislature.
The opposition MPs have condemned the bill with critics of President Yoweri Museveni saying it is an attempt to prolong his stay in power.
The current age limit is 75 and Mr Museveni, 73 is able to stand for re-election in the 2021 elections extending his stay office for a sixth term.
Source: Africafeeds.com
