The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has now signed into law a bill passed by the country’s parliament to remove the age limit of 75 years placed on presidential aspirants in the east African nation.
The passage of the new law was characterized by controversy and violence in the Ugandan parliament last year with the opposition claiming the move is to enable president Museveni to prolong its stay in power.
Museveni who is now 73, can now seek re-election in 2021 if he wishes, to extend his stay in power beyond the current 31 years.
A spokesman for parliament in Uganda Chris Obore is quoted by Reuters to have said on Tuesday that the bill “has been signed into law,” but the opposition in Uganda has said it will challenge the law in court.
Last year President Museveni declared his backing for a longer presidential term from current five years to seven although he has not proposed directly for the current term limit in his country to be extended.
The long-term leader of Uganda has said that when African leaders have less number of time in office for a term, they are not able to execute projects for their citizens effectively.
Museveni said in a statement from his office that “For these countries with all these problems … five years is just a joke.”
President Museveni was further quoted as saying that “Leaders in Africa have much more to do and need adequate time (between elections) to develop the continent.”
Museveni came into power in 1986 and has since won every election held in the east African country.
Source: Africafeeds.com
