MPs call for return of term limits
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 23 OCTOBER 2012
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs+call+for+return+of+term+limits/-/688334/1539592/-/yfudvez/-/index.html
MPs and police officers pay tribute to Tiberio Okeny Atwoma during a
special sitting of the Parliament to honour the former legislator
yesterday.
In Summary
Legislators say the restoration of term limits is
the only way to mourn the late Okeny Tiberio Atwoma, who participated in
the formulation of the 1995 Constitution, that introduced the law.
MPs across the political divide yesterday called
for political unity and the restoration of presidential term limits in
order to reshape the political system.
While paying tribute to MP Emeritus, the late
Okeny Tiberio Atwoma, the MPs said the country’s politics had been
diluted over the years in total disregard of the “strong principles and
political foundation, which the fathers put up.”
“The only gift we can give to Atwoma is the
restoration of term limits. He must have died an unhappy man after the
Seventh Parliament removed the term limits that he and his
contemporaries fought so hard to put in the 1995 Constitution,” said
Godfrey Kiwanda [NRM, Mityana North].
“Let this Parliament lead the reinstatement of the
term limits so that we recognise the worth in his 1994 contribution.
That’s the only way we can properly mourn him.” According to a tribute
read by the Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, Atwoma was diagnosed with
prostate cancer in 2010, a disease he succumbed to on October 12.
Born on May 22, 1925, Atwoma, commonly known as
Otwombye [bulldozer], served the country in different political
capacities albeit he was in the opposition.
Atwoma’s work
In the colonial
government, he worked as the Administrative Secretary and served in
Karamoja Native Administration from 1945 to 1947 before becoming the
first Labour Officer for Northern Province in Gulu.
“He fought for the rights of the people of Uganda
and he was frustrated by the scenes of exploitation of African labourers
by the expatriates, which he tried to address, in vain,” said Premier
Mbabazi. “He resigned his job and joined politics where he continued to
fight for the rights of the people.”
He added: “We need a council to tap from those
that have accumulated from not only wisdom but talent in this country. I
moved a motion in the Constituent Assembly (CA) for the establishment
of the Council of the state and although I was defeated, I hope it will
come to pass one time.”
Rwampara County MP Vincent Kyamadi described the
Atwoma as a man who was “mature in politics.” “The level of political
maturity exhibited by Atwoma should be emulated by us the current
politicians. We need to learn from our forefathers.
“Even when his party members in DP had different
political ideology he didn’t haunt them for having a different ideology
as opposed to him. But in today’s politics, the moment you have a
different opinion from your party someone will be haunted and
persecuted!” he said.
His proposal
Mr Atwoma, who
represented Chwa County in the CA that formulated the 1995 Constitution,
will be remembered as the man who had proposed that Uganda be renamed
the Nile Republic with its capital at Kigumba.
In 1961, he represented Acholi at the Lancaster
House Constitutional Conference to negotiate for the independence of
Uganda. In 1959, Atwoma joined the DP where he subsequently served as
the national organiser, party presidential adviser and vice-president.
In 1984, he formed the National Liberal Party
after following out with the DP leadership. However, Atwoma had rejoined
the party by the time of his death. He will be buried later his week at
his ancestral home in Kitgum District.
