The Supreme Court today upheld the constitutional court’s ruling that upholds removal of the age-limit provision in the constitution, paving the way for President Yoweri Museveni to stand in 2021.
The ruling that was very tight saw three Justices against upholding the removal of age-limit, while three were for upholding it. It took the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe to break the tie.
Justice Jotham Tumwesigye stated that the constitutional court did not err in law in their ruling. “Parliament cannot do the same process over and over because it will be wastage of resources,” Tumwesigye ruled.
Justice Paul Mugamba joined other Justices in annuling the age limit amendment over the certificate of compliance. “Age Limit amendment was illegally enacted and it’s null and void,” he ruled.
Justice Lillian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza on her part stated that “the power to amend is not the same as the power to rewrite the constitution. The power to replace is with the people and not with the people’s representatives.”
On the other hand, Justice Eldad Mwangusya disagrees with the ruling, accepts petitioners’ prayer for nullification.
Lady Justice Stella Arach Amoko who was the first to give her ruling upheld the ruling of the constitutional court removing age-limit.
There were mixed feelings to the ruling. Don Wanyama, the presidential spokesperson celebrated the ruling as a sign of the rule of law.
“Wondering what the President was upto as the Supreme Court strengthened our nascent democracy and rule of law?
Well, the President this afternoon was in Bukonzo West Constituency in Kasese District, where he launched an irrigation scheme and later addressed a mammoth rally at Karambi Primary School in Bwera Town Council.
Key among the organizers of these activities was the area MP, Godfrey Atkins Katusabe, of the FDC party. The President primarily educated his audience on wealth creation and thanked the people of Kasese for the warm reception,” Wanyama posted on his Facebook page.
