Punches thrown as Ugandan MPs debate president's future

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Punches were thrown and the national anthem was used as a filibuster in Uganda’s parliament on Tuesday, as lawmakers clashed over a law which would allow long-serving President Yoweri Museveni to run for another term in office.

Government and opposition lawmakers came to blows after the House speaker allowed a ruling party legislator to introduce a motion to kick-start the process to remove an age cap from Uganda's constitution to allow Museveni, in power since 1986, to run for re-election.

Ugandan lawmakers fight in the parliament in Kampala, Uganda on ‍September 26, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"Please take your seats... Let us speak with our words, not with our fists," Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said as she tried to calm the enraged lawmakers.

Order was subsequently restored as the House debated other, less contentious subjects.

Towards the end of a nearly six-hour session, moments before the controversial motion was read, legislators opposed to it successfully foiled its introduction by breaking into endless singing of the national anthem.

Donning red ribbons, they stood up and crowded around the podium, banging on it and on their benches.

Ugandan opposition lawmakers wear red ribbons to protest a proposed presidential age limit amendment bill in Kampala, Uganda on September 26, 2017. /Reuters Photo

After repeated calls of "order, order, honorable members" by Kadaga failed to silence the MPs, she adjourned the session.

Tensions were already high over reports one MP had a gun, prompting a search for weapons.

Under the existing constitution, a person standing for president must be under 75 years of age -- which would make Museveni, 73, ineligible to stand at the next polls in 2021.

Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York, US on September 19, 2017. /Reutesr Photo

Before Tuesday's parliamentary sitting got under way around, police fired tear gas to disperse protests by students and other opposition activists in the capital Kampala, police spokesman Emirian Kayima said.

Local media reported protests against the legislative measure also broke out in other parts of Uganda.

Museveni initially won plaudits for restoring stability in Uganda after years of turmoil and attracting foreign direct investment, but opposition to his rule has been fuelled by human rights violations, corruption and broken public services.

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Source(s): Reuters