By Simon Turibamwe
The debate about constitutional amendment for a provision to elect the President through electoral college has gained momentum, with Government Deputy spokesperson Col (Rtd) Shaban Bantariza giving it an overwhelming support. Col Bantariza who was hosted at NBS television together with Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Salongo Lukwago today (Monday) morning, disclosed that he will wholesomely support the Bill allowing the Parliament to elect the president if it is tabled at any given time. Bantariza noted that some of the reasons to let the President be elected by Parliament is to save the country’s money that is spent to organize the Presidential elections which he considers unnecessary. He also said that it will be the only way to iron out opposition fears and allegations that the incumbent President uses state money and resources to seek re-election.
“Even if I’m not a member of Parliament I will wholesomely support this motion if it so happens that it is tabled before parliament, because this will be the only medicine to the opposition allegations whenever they are defeated in elections that the incumbent use state resources and treasury to seek re-election,” said Bantariza. He noted that if election of the President is done within the electoral colleges there will be no issues of voter bribery and other electoral malpractices that are always raised during every and after elections by the losers. There has been rumors that some members in the Museveni-led NRM which is the ruling party are scheming to propose to Parliament a motion seeking an amendment of presidential election act and in the new amendment they want the president to be selected by the political party with majority members of parliament. This system has worked in countries like South Africa where the President is only selected by African National Congress (ANC) which has ruled South Africa for 108 years an interrupted. Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago said that the move by Museveni’s sycophants is intended to promote life presidency because they feel they have not done enough. “Their Kyankwanzi endorsement for Museveni’s sole candidature in 2021 and beyond seem not to be enough because Ugandans may decide otherwise and this is why they are proposing to scrap presidential elections forever to achieve life presidency,” said Lukwago. Lukwago said that it’s no longer a fact that that the NRM is promoting a life President which was spilled to the public they day they mentioned 2021 and beyond which meant that President Museveni will always stand unchallenged in all future elections. “They have now ring-fenced it in NRM and their new plan is to scrap presidential elections to achieve their live presidency and this is why we are rallying voters to massively participate in voting to see him out of power,” Lukwago stated. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
