Ugandan police on Wednesday banned protests against plans to scrap the presidential age limits ahead of the country’s 2021 general elections.
The police termed the demonstrations illegal, saying they were meant to intimidate people in support of the proposal to remove the age limits.
“Consultations must not include illegal demonstrations, illegal processions, inciting violence, use of hate campaigns, use of abusive language, acts of hooliganism of any sort, intimidation of any persons perceived to be supporting the removal of the age limit,” local Daily Nation media outlet quotes assistant inspector general of police, Assuman Mugenyi to say.
The proposal to remove the age limits has been backed by Members of Parliament allied to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who argue that the East African country does not have a replacement for President Yoweri Museveni.
Museveni, 73 years old, would be barred from running in the 2021 election if the law remained as it is.
The law requires that presidential aspirants be below the 75 years old in order to be eligible to contest the presidency.
Opposition leaders have however condemned the move, saying it is a plot by the president to cling on to power.
Brawls erupted in the country’s parliament earlier this month as the bill was brought for tabling.
The fight prompted the Speaker of the house to suspend some Members who were involved.
President Museveni is reported to have held a closed-door meeting with NRM members last week, asking them to rally the country to back the removal of the age limits.
