Today in History: Parliament Erupts into Violence as Age Limit Motion Sparks Chaos

What the report says

Nile Post revisits the September 2017 parliamentary violence in Uganda that erupted over a motion linked to removing the constitutional presidential age limit. According to the report, tensions rose after Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said the order paper had been amended to allow Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi to seek leave to introduce the bill. Opposition lawmakers responded with protests inside the chamber, including shouting and singing the national anthem, while wearing red ribbons and headbands.

The situation escalated when opposition MPs accused a ruling-party legislator of bringing a firearm into the House, leading to scuffles in which lawmakers traded punches and threw papers and microphone stands. Kadaga ordered security personnel to search MPs and later suspended 25 opposition lawmakers accused of fueling the unrest. When Parliament resumed on September 27, security officers moved in to enforce the suspensions, prompting further clashes as some MPs resisted removal.

The article says the confrontation unfolded alongside a live-broadcast ban imposed by the Uganda Communications Commission, which forced media outlets to rely on delayed footage. With many opposition MPs absent or removed, the ruling-party majority passed the motion allowing Magyezi to introduce the age limit bill. In broader context, the episode became a key step toward the constitutional amendment later passed in December 2017, which removed the 75-year presidential age cap.