By KT Reporter
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has pledged to restore and firmly entrench presidential term limits once it assumes power. Speaking at the unpacking of the party’s 11 policy priorities in its manifesto at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule on Saturday, the party Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, said a future NUP government would ensure that the presidential term limits are not only reinstated but also safeguarded against future removal.
In 2005, presidential term limits were scrapped, and in 2017, the upper age limit of 75 for presidential candidates was also lifted. According to Article 102 of the Constitution, to be eligible for the presidency, one must be a Ugandan citizen by birth, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a Member of Parliament. Rubongoya said that under a NUP government, it would be considered treasonous for any president to attempt to remove the reinstated term limits.
He further pledged that all political prisoners and Karamojong individuals detained without trial would be released. Rubongoya also announced that the NUP government would reform the appointment process of top judicial officers and members of the Electoral Commission. He said that under NUP, the president would not have the power to appoint judicial officers such as the Chief Justice or members of the Electoral Commission, arguing that the current system creates undue loyalty to the appointing authority and undermines constitutional independence. Muwanga Kivumbi, the NUP Vice President for the Buganda region, said the party plans to create over 2.1 million new jobs within three years of taking power. He noted that NUP would leverage existing sectors such as tourism, developing first-class infrastructure—roads, hotels, and human rights protections—to attract tourists and stimulate economic growth.
Benjamin Katana, the NUP National Treasurer, announced that the party plans to introduce a multi-sectoral school feeding program to improve living standards for Ugandans. He said that under NUP, every primary school-going child would receive a hot meal daily.
The government would empower Ugandan families to produce the food used in school feeding programs, creating income opportunities and strengthening household economies. Katana added that schools would become reliable markets for farmers’ produce, such as milk and maize, with government procurement designed to prevent exploitation of farmers.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, the NUP president and party presidential flag bearer, said the 11-point manifesto represents ideas gathered from young Ugandans across the country. He urged party aspirants not to make unrealistic promises but to focus on explaining and advancing the manifesto’s priorities. “Everybody that you get close to, let them understand that we are past the mobilization stage. We are now in the sensitization phase, making sure that every Ugandan clearly understands what we are fighting and risking for,” Kyagulanyi remarked. He emphasized that the NUP manifesto is the guiding document for all party candidates aspiring for leadership positions.
Kyagulanyi also expressed gratitude to his campaign supporters and foot soldiers for maintaining peace despite provocation from security agencies. The eleven policy priorities include: restoring freedom, constitutionalism, and human rights (including gender equity); ending corruption and wasteful government expenditure; consolidating national unity; rebuilding war-torn communities; and eliminating sectarianism.
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