By; Our Reporter

The hearing of the constitutional petition challenging last year’s passing and signing of the Constitutional Amendment No. 2 of 2017, that removed the presidential age limit has started in Mbale this morning.

The Constitutional Court is handling a petition comprising of 5 different petitions filed by Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka, Karuhanga Kafureka, the Uganda Law Society, Prosper Busingye, and Jonathan Abaime.

In the opening remarks Justice Owiny Dollo allied fears of insecurity by the petitioners’ lawyers led by the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, saying he has to make sure no one is intimidated in any manner and ready to handle the case as planned without any interference.

First, the Panel will be deciding on whether Sections 2 and 8 of the Amendment, which extended the terms of MPs from 5 to 7 years retrospectively, weren’t in Contravention of Article 1 of the constitution, which gives all powers to the citizens?

The petitioners also want court to decide if the introduction of the amendment bill by a Private Member, Raphael Magyezi, was in contravention of Article 93, which only mandates the government to come up with such an amendment.

The judges will also decide on the constitutionality of the Presidential ascent to the bill in the absence of the Certificate of Compliance from the Speaker and the Certificate of the Electoral Commission confirming that the amendment was approved at a referendum.

The Deputy Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo is heading a panel of 5 judges who include;,Justices; Remmy Kasule, Elizabeth Musoke, Kenneth Kakuru and Cheborion Barishaki.

Security has been heightened at the Mbale High Court with Both plain clothed and uniformed police officers deployed to guard the court premises with strict search by police with sniffer dogs.

Traffic has also been diverted, with no passenger vehicles allowed on the road near the court.


Tuesday 10th April 2018 06:19:12 AM