Lawmakers with Uganda's ruling party on Tuesday backed plans to remove the presidential age limit, which would allow longtime President Yoweri Museveni to extend his rule.
The ruling party caucus decided to throw out a clause that puts the upper age limit at 75, said Chris Obore, a spokesman for Uganda's parliament.
The issue is not yet on parliament's agenda, Obore said.
Museveni, who is 73 and ineligible to run again if the age limit remains, has recently ducked the question when asked whether he wants more time in office, insisting the matter is not so important.
Museveni's party has an overwhelming majority in the national assembly, and a bill to remove the age limit is expected to pass when the procedural process starts. It's not clear when the process would start.
Museveni has led the East African country since 1986, when he took power by force following a bush war. Some critics have long accused him of wanting to rule for life.
Although he has warned in the past that Africa's problem was leaders “who want to overstay in power,” he has since said he was speaking about leaders who are not elected.
Museveni was re-elected last year in a poll marred by allegations of vote fraud. The next election is in 2021.
Uganda Lawmakers Plan to Remove Presidential Age Limit
KAMPALA, UGANDA —
