Speaker Among Sparks Fresh Push for Seven-Year Presidential Term at Kyankwanzi Retreat
Kyankwanzi, Uganda – Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among has ignited a fresh debate over the extension of the presidential term from five to seven years, using the ongoing retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi to rally newly elected lawmakers behind the controversial proposal.
According to sources at the retreat, Among raised the matter during closed-door sessions with newly elected National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs and party-leaning independents. She reportedly positioned the reform as a constitutional matter that Parliament has the authority to pursue under Article 77 of the Constitution, arguing that the move would serve the country’s long-term interests.
“She pleaded with the MPs to rally behind the proposal, saying it is good for the country,” a source present at the discussions told this publication. Among further pointed to other countries within the East African Community that already operate longer political tenures, though specific nations were not named.
The Speaker’s intervention marks a fresh push for term extension, a subject that has previously sparked intense public and political debate. Sources indicate that if the proposal is adopted and garners sufficient support from MPs, it would affect not only the presidency but also Parliament and other elective offices across the country.
As of press time, the Office of the Speaker had not issued an official statement on the matter. The Kyankwanzi retreat continues, with political observers closely watching whether the proposal will gain formal traction among the ruling party’s parliamentary caucus.
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