The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, gave the ultimatum following a statement by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, during plenary sitting on Tuesday.
Otafiire said that in order to address matters relating to elections in Uganda, it is necessary to handle the matter in a chronological manner, beginning with the review and amendment of the Constitution concurrent with the process to amend the electoral laws.
“Within the next six months, Government intends to make final preparations relating to the establishment and appointment of the Constitutional Review Commission and securing of the necessary funds for the activities of the Commission,” said Otafiire.
Otafire, who was speaking in his home district of Mitooma in western Uganda at the weekend said that he would not be rushed into presenting electoral reforms and that those in a hurry should wait a little longer.
He added that government is constrained to make electoral reforms because of the ongoing case in the Constitutional Court challenging the amendment of Article 102(b) of the
Constitution, which removes the presidential age limit. Kadaga, however, said that the electoral reforms were directed by the Supreme Court after the 2011 and 2016 elections, and this should be followed.
“As soon as the President was sworn in, your first duty was to address the ruling of the Supreme Court and we want you to respond to the command of the Supreme Court in full,” said Kadaga.
She added that there is need to separate the constitutional review process from electoral reforms.
“Even if you appoint the Constitutional Review Commission in July, they will report to the 11th Parliament. By the time this House goes for elections, the constitutional review will not be ready. It’s not our business, our concern is the electoral reforms,” said Kadaga.
Members of Parliament disagreed with the Minister’s proposal to review and amend the Constitution, saying that this will delay the process of amending electoral laws.
Shadow Attorney General, Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba (Ind. Ndorwa East) said that the Minister’s statement shows that government is not willing and ready to present electoral reforms.
“I would like to seek leave of this House that I bring a formal motion to amend electoral laws by bringing a Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019. Subsequently, I will bring amendments to the Presidential Elections Act, Parliamentary Elections Act, the Electoral Commission Act and Local Government Act,” said Niwagaba.
