Justice Kenneth Kakuru was the only Judge of the Constitutional Court who gave a dissenting ruling in the Age Limit ruling at Mbale High Court on July 26.
While his colleagues upheld the constitutional amendment to remove the age limit from the constitution, Kakuru poured cold water on the move saying it was “null and void.”
Elders from Ankole tell a story that might explain the roots of Justice Kakuru’s principle. His father, Rev. Eliakim Kamujanduzi (deceased), a renowned elder and senior educationist in the Kingdom stood by the Church’s principle and did the unthinkable.
He denied the Mugabe (King) of Ankole Kingdom, His Highness Charles Rutahaba Gatsyonga, Holy Communion in Church saying he was polygamous.
Back then, marrying more than one wife was not only condoned but also worthy of respect in the African tradition.
But royalty and Church have their intersection and this is the line that Rev. Kamajanduzi was keen to draw.
“Omugabe Gasyonga who was installed by the court of East Africa reigned from 1944 to 1967 had two wives and the new Christian religion did not allow it. And that is what the good Reverend implemented. The King was embarrassed but remained civic,” Otushabire Tibyange, an elder from Ankole told Matooke Republic.
Tibyangye said he was happy to see that Justice Kakuru took the father’s genes to stand for what is right even in the face of provocation and threats.