Resolution allows Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to run again in age-limit change

KAMPALA, Uganda, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Officials with Uganda's ruling party passed a resolution to remove the age limit on the presidency so President Yoweri Museveni can run again.

Museveni, now 71, would be ineligible to seek re-election in 2021 because the constitution bars anyone older than 75 to serve. He has been president since 1986.

The Kyankwanzi National Resistance Movement passed a resolution calling for the amendment of the Constitution by parliament to lift the age ban, the office of the president announced in a release Tuesday.

During a meeting at the Kyankwanzi State Lodge at the National Leadership Institute, the Kyankwanzi district leaders told Museveni that they want the limit removed.

Museveni said that he would consult with the NRM Central Executive Committee and the NRM leadership.

If the Constitution is amended and he wins re-election, his rule would be extended to 40 years.

Museveni was declared the winner of the previous election in February with 60 percent of the vote. Kizza Besigye, who came second with 35 percent of the vote, said the election's integrity was undermined by rigging, intimidation by security personnel and voter bribery.

In May, Besigye was arrested and charged with treason after a video circulated on social media of him in a mock swearing-in ceremony.

In 2005, lawmakers removed the two-term limit. But Museveni was accused of bribing ruling party legislators, an allegation he denies.

"Museveni has an absolute majority in parliament ... these legislators do not have the courage to resist what Museveni wants," said Nicholas Opiyo, a Kampala-based political analyst and human rights lawyer, to Voice of America.