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.