The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
If one assumed power at the age of 45, under the present constitutional arrangement, they could still constitutionally stay in power for 30 years – a period those opposed to the amendment and the person of President Museveni, argue is “too long”. So how does the retention of the upper age limit deal with longevity in power as urged by the opponents? If one became President at the constitutional age of 35 years, they could constitutionally rule for 40 years. Is that a long time? If so, how does the Constitution in its present form limit that? This is the strongest argument being advanced by the opponents of the amendment, but it is without any factual or legal basis.
The Constitution is a living document even without fanciful judicial lawmaking. It can, with sufficient consensus, be altered to suit the requirements of an evolving polity. Unlike the impulse of a political activist, so often urged on by a cadre of rowdy crowds, a proposal to amend the Constitution must earn substantial—indeed, super-majority—political support, sometimes requiring years of sustained effort and extended deliberation. Fleeting fads are not likely to make the grade. Which brings me to Hon. Magyezi’s proposed amendment.
I would urge abundant caution in the proposed removal of the lower age limit. A lot many constitutions of the world have similar provision, and in most, it is 30-35 years. The rationale for this is the presumption that at 35 years, one has attained sufficient life experience and emotional stability requisite in the exercise of the powers and duties of office of a President. There is a need for “presidential trust” which requires a great extent of information and stability of character. At 35 most citizens should have reached a period of life most likely to supply these advantages.
It would be absolutely ill-advised, therefore, in making the argument about “discrimination” to risk the demanding office of President to the often reckless hot-headedness of youth.
The upper age limit is obviously the most contentious and it is not difficult to see why! The opponents have, by making the debate about President Museveni and not the challenges of our time, elected to play the person not the ball. The arguments are so far ideologically unconvincing and emotional.
Is there a justification for barring a 75-year old from running for office of President? I think not – both from a scientific and rational perspective. Very few Constitutions around the world contain this provision anyway.
The bible teaches us in Job 12:12 thus: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”
With the advance in science (medicine) and technology, 70 is the new 40! A 2011 scientific study published in the Psychological Science journal, found that older people’s wisdom helped them outperform younger participants at taking the bigger picture into account. The study concluded that wisdom really does come with age and that older people make better decisions than young adults who are too impulsive. The study found that people were most thoughtful and exhibited wisdom between the ages 70-89 years and began to drastically lose their thought process and control of their minds between the ages 90-95 years. The argument, therefore, that at 75 years one would not be fit to stand for President on account of “advanced age”, is a fallacy and figment of imagination not backed by any scientific evidence.
In management of state affairs, therefore, the experience, strategic thought and emotional stability that often comes with age must be treasured, and would make for a good symbiotic relationship and mix with youth to give an explanation to the mystery of 1+1=3!
It is also true however that while wisdom may come with age, there is no guarantee. Oscar Wilde put it better when he said, “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone”!
The dangers of reckless hot-headedness of youth and old age without wisdom is being played out today in the international arena with one youthful leader somewhere in the Korean Peninsula and an inexperienced old man at the helm one of the world’s most powerful nations. The two are on the brink of taking the world into a nuclear war!
I urge the Hon. Magyezi to drop the idea of removing the lower age limit and insert in his draft, a requirement for experience in leadership/management for a Presidential candidate. It is not enough to just be 35 or 80. Either without experience is dangerous.
To the opponents, I urge intelligent, temperate debate as the essence of free government. It would be unfortunate indeed if the Constitution ever came to be regarded as so sacred that it could not be discussed but fought over. Brawling in Parliament in the name of defense of the Constitution shocks the conscience and is conduct lower than a snake’s belly! Constitutional debate and disputation must take place in a more anodyne fashion.
Every era of our national existence has been a product of some sort of constitutional struggle. These recurring controversies are but renewals of old debates and will have their counterparts in the days to come; and, indeed, so long as our nation endures. Such disputes are the by-products of the processes of growth and are evidence of life and not of decay.
There will be many historic occasions upon which the interpreters of the Constitution and those who seek to apply it in a practical manner come into collision. In each instance the conflict should be resolved so as to meet the requirements of the generation in which it occurs, sometimes by the drastic process of Amendment
As a nation, we should have but scant patience with those who believe that the Constitution is unamendable and we should not be moved by those who, in sheer blindness, strive to make it an unworkable document.
As we celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of our constitution, we should do so with the fervent belief that our democracy will endure, that it will justify itself in the face the challenges of our time, and that our political differences and crises can be solved within our constitutional framework.
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