Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 378
- 328
The Ugandan government has confirmed that a controversial proposal to extend the term of both Parliament and the Presidency from five to seven years is officially on the table, igniting intense political and legal debate across the country- Nile post UG.
📸: Statehouse UG
The confirmation came from Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who revealed that the proposal is part of a wider constitutional reform package being developed by the Uganda Law Reform Commission.
Mao argued that Uganda’s Constitution, now over 30 years old, requires a comprehensive and inclusive review rather than piecemeal amendments. He emphasized that both the Executive and Parliament are aligned on pursuing broader reforms.
The proposal is a shift from the current five-year electoral cycle which has defined Uganda’s governance system for decades—to a longer seven-year mandate.
📸:Nation UG
The proposal has, however, triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and legal experts, who warn it could undermine democratic accountability.
Opposition MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda dismissed the move as self-serving, linking it to earlier constitutional changes such as the 2017 age-limit amendment. He argued that leaders pushing the proposal stand to benefit directly from it.
Similarly, legislator Richard Lumu raised constitutional red flags, pointing to Article 92, which bars Parliament from overturning court decisions suggesting the proposal could face legal hurdles.
The Uganda Law Society has warned that any attempt to extend parliamentary terms must pass a strict public interest test.
Its leadership cautioned that amendments perceived to benefit a few individuals rather than citizens will face resistance, stressing their mandate to defend constitutionalism and the will of the people.
Uganda has held elections on a five-year cycle since the 1995 Constitution, making this proposal a major structural shift in governance.
If adopted, the reform would:
•Extend the time leaders stay in office before facing voters
•Potentially reduce the frequency of elections and associated costs
•Raise concerns about reduced accountability and democratic checks.
The confirmation came from Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, who revealed that the proposal is part of a wider constitutional reform package being developed by the Uganda Law Reform Commission.
Mao argued that Uganda’s Constitution, now over 30 years old, requires a comprehensive and inclusive review rather than piecemeal amendments. He emphasized that both the Executive and Parliament are aligned on pursuing broader reforms.
The proposal is a shift from the current five-year electoral cycle which has defined Uganda’s governance system for decades—to a longer seven-year mandate.
The proposal has, however, triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and legal experts, who warn it could undermine democratic accountability.
Opposition MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda dismissed the move as self-serving, linking it to earlier constitutional changes such as the 2017 age-limit amendment. He argued that leaders pushing the proposal stand to benefit directly from it.
Similarly, legislator Richard Lumu raised constitutional red flags, pointing to Article 92, which bars Parliament from overturning court decisions suggesting the proposal could face legal hurdles.
The Uganda Law Society has warned that any attempt to extend parliamentary terms must pass a strict public interest test.
Its leadership cautioned that amendments perceived to benefit a few individuals rather than citizens will face resistance, stressing their mandate to defend constitutionalism and the will of the people.
Uganda has held elections on a five-year cycle since the 1995 Constitution, making this proposal a major structural shift in governance.
If adopted, the reform would:
•Extend the time leaders stay in office before facing voters
•Potentially reduce the frequency of elections and associated costs
•Raise concerns about reduced accountability and democratic checks.
