KABALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS STRIKE OVER AGE LIMIT BILL

By Vanansio Kakogoso

In Kabale–

Kabale University Students have staged a peaceful demonstration opposing the proposed scrapping of the presidential age limit.

Students say that Article 102 clause (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda that states that no Ugandan below the age of 35 or above the age of 75 is qualified to run for the presidency of the country should not be changed.  The proposed amendments to lift the Presidential age limit of 75years if changed will allow President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to contest again in 2021.

At around 10:00am, students gathered themselves at the office of the guild president to start demonstrations. The Students were also carrying placards written Tojikwatako and having red ribbons in heads.

Ronald Gumisiriza, one of the students says that he was forced to join the demonstration it is his duty as a youth to defend the constitution so that President Museveni is not given another chance of standing in 2021. He says that President Museveni need to peacefully hand over power to another capable leader.

Blaize Mugisha another student says that what forced him join the demonstration is to show his dissatisfaction on the proposed amendment of article 102(b) of the constitution with only one intention of favoring President Museveni to stand again. Mugisha says that this is not the time of amending the article to only favor a single person yet there are other many Ugandans that are capable of leading this country.

The demonstrators were however, dispersed by anti-riot police led by Assistant Superintendent of Police(SSP) Johnson Mpaba, the head of Field Force Unit at Muhanga Police Station in Rukiga district as they descend  to Kabale town from the university. Some of the students run back to the University Premises while others fled to the bush.

The university guild president, Christine Tina Barigye told our reporter that the demonstration was not part of the university activities and those involved are doing it at their own.

The police spokesperson for Kigezi region Elly Maate, says that police is not ready to allow any demonstration of such nature. By the time of filling this story,police was still heavily deployed at the university.

Source:www.mknewslink.com

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