The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Major General Kahinda Otafiire has said Uganda’s constitution is subject to amendments after all it isn’t a commandment from God.
The flamboyant Minister made the remarks on Thursday during a special sitting by Parliament to pay tribute to the fallen politician and entrepreneur, John Ssebaana Kizito.
“The constitution of Uganda isn’t my property; it is the property of the people of Uganda. It isn’t a commandment of God and all articles of the constitution are amenable to amendment when the population of Uganda so chooses,” Otafire said.
He was responding to remarks made by Opposition Chief Whip, Ssemujju Nganda, calling on NRM diehards not to change the constitution in order to allow President Yoweri Museveni to rule for life.
“…It is not surprising that even on his death bed (Ssebaana), he was still concerned about maneuvers being done by some regime loyalists to change constitution so that President Yoweri Museveni can finally proclaim himself a life presidency,” the Kiira Municipality lawmaker said.
He added: “The only be-fitting tribute we can pay to Ssebaana is not to amend the constitution, lifting age limit for presidency.”
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah called on Ugandans against stereotypes in politics.
“It is only during this tribute that I got to learn that Ssebaana was not a Catholic. We have grown up knowing everyone from DP is Catholic and Muganda and everyone from UPC is Anglican. We must use that past as a resource that we invest for the better future,” Oulanyah said.
