By Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda
August 19, 2003-Monitor
| Constitution to be amended this year
Consensus is emerging in Cabinet over the adoption of federalism and the removal of presidential term limits. Sources have told the Monitor that several Cabinet meetings, some chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, have been held to discuss issues that government wants addressed in the 1995 Constitution. Information minister Nsaba Buturo told The Monitor on Saturday morning that several issues are under consideration but no conclusive positions have been adopted yet. Sources familiar with the discussions said that federalism (federo in popular speak) and the amendment of Article 105 (2) of the Constitution to enable Mr Museveni run for another term in 2006 came under serious debate at last Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting. As it is the Constitution does not allow an individual to run for more that two five-year terms as President. Article 105 (2) provides that “A person shall not be elected under this Constitution to hold office as President for more than two terms as prescribed by this article”. Museveni’s second five-year term expires in 2006. The Movement National Conference and National Executive Committee met in March and agreed to amend Article 105 (2). The National Political Commissar, Dr Crispus Kiyonga, presented the recommendation to the Constitutional Review Commission a month later. Sources said that changing 105 (2) has received less resistance compared to the introduction of federo. Some ministers are reported to have put up strong resistance against federo but scaled it down in the presence of Museveni. The Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, told the parliamentary Committee on Presidential and Foreign Affairs on July 22 that Cabinet was also discussing the Constitution with the view to generate consensus on several other issues. Nsibambi told the committee that Museveni had as of that day chaired at least two meetings. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ms Janat Mukwaya, told the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on August 13 that a bill to amend the Constitution would be in Parliament before year’s end. Sources said that Cabinet has in principle agreed to table its proposals to the Constitutional Review Commission. The commission is writing its report. Buturo said that Cabinet has a right to submit its views but even the issue of submission is yet to be finalised. Sources said that some ministers are arguing that it is a waste of time for them to submit views when they are the very people to debate the report from the review commission. Others, however, believe that if Cabinet refuses to submit its views the public would accuse it of undermining the process. One of the issues Cabinet is considering is the reduction of the powers of local governments. Museveni wants district chief administrative officers’ powers trimmed. |
© 2003 The Monitor Publications
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