Former legislators Rhoda Kalema, Joyce Mpanga and Miria Matembe have urged parliament to protect and uphold the 1995 national constitution to avert political conflict.
The three legislators made remarks at a function held by parliament to mark the international day of democracy under theme of democracy and conflict prevention.
Kalema says the members of the tenth parliament must read the constitution and also understand the meaning of democracy which is to make decisions on behalf of the people.
Miria Matembe says the current MPs have a second chance to keep the safe guard against life presidency by not lifting the age limit of 35 to 75 years.
Matembe also expressed her disappointment with the first deputy prime minister Gen Moses Ali who says that the problem is article 259 of the constitution gives parliament powers to amend most of its provisions.
Ali added that the ruling party National Resistance Movement should not be blamed for ruling for the last 31 years but rather wonders why the opposition or any other person cannot stand and win the various elections that have been held in the past.
He was responding to remarks by the president of the Uganda Law Society Francis Gimara that MPs must consult their voters over the age limit question and that those opposed and supporting the proposal should be given equal platform.
Gimara delivered a public lecture on democracy and conflict prevention in Uganda where he says that Uganda has gone through at least 5 phases of conflicts and must deal with about 5 disputes for peace building. These disputes include intolerance in the two largest political parties NRM and FDC, rising impunity, human rights violations, economic crises, poor facilitation of the judiciary yet it is the arbitrator.
The function also marked the 60th anniversary of women’s entry into parliamentary democracy and also awarded 99 year old Florence Alice Lubega who was the first woman MP in Uganda’s legislative Council in 1958.
Lubega represented Singo North West constituency which is in present day Mubende and Mityana districts.
