Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have distanced themselves from junior investment minister Evelyn Anite’s remarks that the NRM had the support of the national army and police and would use these forces against the opposition who have vowed to fight the removal of the age limit.

Anite made the remarks while addressing the press at Parliament on Thursday alongside MPs advocating for Museveni life presidency.

“You cannot intimidate a ruling party. We are the party in government, we have the support of the majje (army),” she said.

However UPDF spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire has come out and clarified that the army shall remain non-partisan.

“UPDF shall at all times remain non-partisan and that is our position,” Brig. Karemire said.

“The UPDF has 10 MPs through whom it can make its views known when necessary,” he added.

This comes after some 245 NRM MPs on Tuesday resolved to introduce a bill in parliament with the intention of removing article 102b of the constitution to allow three-decade president run for president in 2021 when Uganda next goes to the polls.

Born in 1944 and in power since 1986, Museveni will be ineligible for reelection unless article 102b is deleted.