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Uganda MPs brawl during presidential age-limit debate | Uganda MPs brawl during presidential age-limit debate |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Chaotic scenes broke out in Uganda's parliament as MPs debated the contentious removal of the presidential age limit. | Chaotic scenes broke out in Uganda's parliament as MPs debated the contentious removal of the presidential age limit. |
Tempers flared and lawmakers were filmed brawling after it was alleged an MP had brought a gun into the chamber. | Tempers flared and lawmakers were filmed brawling after it was alleged an MP had brought a gun into the chamber. |
The speaker ordered a search but no gun was found, local media reported. | The speaker ordered a search but no gun was found, local media reported. |
The age-limit issue is controversial because long-standing President Yoweri Museveni is 73 years old and the limit for re-election is capped at 75. | The age-limit issue is controversial because long-standing President Yoweri Museveni is 73 years old and the limit for re-election is capped at 75. |
President Museveni has been in power since 1986 and democratically elected as president since 1996. | President Museveni has been in power since 1986 and democratically elected as president since 1996. |
But the current constitutional age limit would prevent him from standing for a sixth term in the 2021 elections. | |
His governing party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been involved in a contentious bill to revise the country's constitution. | His governing party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been involved in a contentious bill to revise the country's constitution. |
A previous two-term limit was scrapped in 2005 to allow President Museveni to stand for a third term. | A previous two-term limit was scrapped in 2005 to allow President Museveni to stand for a third term. |
The scuffles broke out on Tuesday during a plenary session after the parliament speaker allowed the constitutional amendment to be presented to MPs. | The scuffles broke out on Tuesday during a plenary session after the parliament speaker allowed the constitutional amendment to be presented to MPs. |
Local media reported that it took 20 minutes for the commotion to calm down. | Local media reported that it took 20 minutes for the commotion to calm down. |
Earlier, police had fired tear gas at some protesters in the capital Kampala before the debate began. | Earlier, police had fired tear gas at some protesters in the capital Kampala before the debate began. |
A leading opposition figure was also reportedly arrested trying to mobilise protesters, a police spokesperson said. | A leading opposition figure was also reportedly arrested trying to mobilise protesters, a police spokesperson said. |
Last week, parliament had to be adjourned after opposition MPs chanted, heckled and whistled over the age-limit issue. | Last week, parliament had to be adjourned after opposition MPs chanted, heckled and whistled over the age-limit issue. |
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