Opposition MPs File Petition Challenging Removal of Age Limit

Six Members of Parliament led by the leader of Opposition, Winnie Kiiza have petitioned the constitutional court challenging the newly signed law that repealed Presidential age limits from the constitution.

The opposition MPs who include Winnie, Mubarak Munyagwa, Allan Sewanyana, Gerald Karuhanga, Jonathan Odur and Ibrahim Semujju contest the law which they claim was passed in contravention with the constitution and that the process was marred with illegalities.

The petition is filed against the Attorney General of Uganda.

City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago who is the lead counsel of the applicants pointed out that all the illegalities they have sighted out in this application are the common ones which have been seen by everyone ever since this law was brought before parliament as a bill

“Like any other institution in the country even the courts of Law are on trial but we have hope that they justice will prevail in this matter,” Lukwago said.

He described the Act as an obnoxious legislation that is null and void. Lukwago said that the petitioners have gathered all the evidence required to to support the case.

On her part, Winnie Kiiza pointed out that the main reason why they have come to court is to defend the rule of law because if they leave it to pass everyone in the country will end up suffering

“It’s too sad to see that the independence of the parliament was compromised but we have hope that judiciary will not be compromised,” Kiiza said.

She said that the passing of the bill was a mockery of good governance.

The contentious Age Limit Bill was passed on December 20ast year, after days of heated debate that was characterized by chaos and exchange of threats between the ruling NRM party MPs and opposition legislators.

All the applicants in the petition, except Winnie Kiiza had been suspended by Speaker of Parliament at the time the Bill was passed and did not participate in the voting.