Ugandan MPs list 11 grounds to appeal age limit ruling
Kampala. The age limit battle has gone to the Supreme Court with six Opposition Members of Parliament, pleading with Chief Justice Bart Katureebe to annul the entire age limit Act, saying the country is now in his hands.
The MPs, led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Ms Winfred Kiiza, list 11 grounds to support their appeal.
They are dissatisfied with the majority decision of the Constitutional Court that endorsed the removal of the presidential age limit clause Article 102(b) from the Constitution, paving way for President Museveni to contest in the next polls if he so wishes.
“Take notice that the petitioners in the constitutional petition No 5 of 2018 being dissatisfied with part of the decisions and orders of their lordships, delivered at the Constitutional Court sitting at Mbale on July 26 intend to appeal against part of the decisions,” the notice of appeal reads in part. During a press conference in Kampala yesterday, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who represents the MPs, told Chief Justice Bart Katureebe that their decision in the pending appeal will either “make” or “break” the country.
“Our last hope is in the Supreme Court. This is the call we are making to the Chief Justice. It is a very big test to the Judiciary,” Mr Lukwago said.
“We made our submissions before the Constitutional Court that Ugandans were let down by Cabinet and Parliament. We made a humble appeal to the court to salvage this country but we came out more disappointed. The choice is yours [Supreme Court] now whether to help this country get on course of constitutionalism, rule of law or you sanction violence,” he added.
Other MPs are Gerald Karuhanga, Jonathan Odur, Mubarak Munyagwa, Allan Ssewanyana and Ibrahim Ssemujju.
Speaking to this newspaper this week, the Chief Justice refrained himself from commenting on the Mbale judgment, saying he might find himself having a conflict of interest since he might be on the Bench, hearing the appeal. (NMG)
