Uganda's president gets backing to run for sixth term as MPs vote to scrap presidential age limit

Uganda's parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that will allow the current president to run for an unprecedented sixth term in office.

Uganda’s legislative body has approved a constitutional change that will allow President Yoweri Museveni to run for a sixth term.

The votes came after three days of debate after which the MPs voted overwhelmingly to remove the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.

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The approval gives 73-year-old President Yoweri Museveni, the option to re-run during the next election after ruling the nation since 1986.

A two-term limit was earlier scrapped in 2005 to allow Mr Museveni to stand for a third term.

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But that limit has been reinstated following criticism that Mr Museveni could now become president for life.

Six opposition MPs were suspended for protesting against the bill while several walked out of the debate.

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