The Constitutional Court convenes at Mbale High Court today to deliver the ruling in the petition filed against the amendment that removed the age limit cap from 75 years and extended the length of Members of Parliament terms from five to seven years.
If there is a group of the people that are worried of the outcomes of Justice Owiny Dollo’s court ruling, it is the 317 MPs who voted in favour of the said amendments – several contrary to the voices of their constituents.
A survey conducted by Afrobarometer soon after Parliament passed the amendments indicated that 85% of Ugandans were opposed to the amendment and told their MPs during consultations not to “touch the Constitution.”
Nonetheless, the 317 MPs on December 20, 2017 lifted the age limit, with a paltry 97 voting otherwise. Two MPs abstained from the voting. For their voting, the MPS have been paid in kind with discrimination, humiliation at public functions, or voters shunning their events.
The joint petition filed by Kampala’s Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, lawyers Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka, Karuhanga Kafureka, the Uganda Law Society, Prosper Busingye, and Jonathan Abaime aims to reinstate the former constitutional order by reinstating the age limit cap in Article 102(b) and blocking the MPs from usurping the citizen’s mandate by giving themselves two more years in power without asking them first.
Mbarara Municipality MP, Michael Tusiime told Matooke Republic that given the high level of turnover in Parliament, he is worried that he might not return for another term in office.
“Our Parliament has a history of incumbency turnover for MPs.
About two thirds of the parliamentarians don’t come back for another term. So if you don’t see me here, don’t ask,” he said.
Kazo County MP, Gordon Bafaki, said the court ruling had come at a bad time when there seems to be a witch-hunt against the MPs who voted for the constructional amendment. “The outcomes will make life even harder for some of us.
Yes, I know I did the right thing but how do I explain that when I am not feeling safe to walk without attracting a stone or worse, bullet to the head,” he added.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza said she hopes for justice for the Opposition MPs who were beaten, humiliated and injured during the Age Limit debate military invasion of the chambers of Parliament.
“Our colleagues were arrested; others like Hon Betty Nambooze are still in hospital so Court must deliver justice for these people and restore the honour of Parliament. This is not a political club,” she said.
Lawyers speak out
Erias Lukwago, one of the petitioners told Matooke Republic that he expects the ruling open to the public so the jury can see the jubilation or disappointment they will bestow on the people of Uganda.
“We were sent guidelines for the ruling yesterday. I want the judges to see what this petition means for the country and our democracy,” he said.