Uganda law society led by its president Francis Gimara has today petitioned constitutional court challenging the newly enacted age limit law that was signed by president Museveni in December last year.
In December last year 317 legislators voted for amendment as 97 voted against the expunging of both the lower and upper presidential age limit that was capped at 35 and 75 years and increasing their terms in office from five to seven years and reinstating term limits that were removed by the seventh parliament in 2005.
‘’article (8) which is yet to become an act extending legislators term in offices to two years is inconsistent with and contravenes with article one which vests powers in hands of Ugandans, article 77(4) and 96 of the constitution’’. Reads Part of the petition.
Fronting attorney general to answer all circumstances surrounding the process of enacting age limit law, petitioners wants the law be annulled on grounds that the process of enacting the bill was marred with violence, assault of legislators, storming of special forces unit (SFC) in parliamentary chambers and violations of human rights which among others contradicts with parliamentary rules and procedures.
By this law the electoral commission will be required to organize separate elections of both legislators and the president due to unconstitutional divergence form from the usual five years of legislators to seven.
