On Thursday, the court upheld a decision by the Constitutional court to scrap the presidential age limit in a 4:3 verdict. The ruling attracted mixed reactions from both the petitioners, public and government officials. The six opposition MPs who petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the Constitutional Court’s judgment that upheld the removal of the presidential age limit from the Constitution said that they were dissatisfied with the Judgement of the Supreme Court.
Erias Lukwago, the lawyer of the appellants said he was disappointed by Supreme Court judgement insisting that they had more than enough evidence to warrant nullification of age limit law. “We had enough and adequate evidence to warrant nullification of this law. It is a sad day; it is a sad moment and it has got serious implications on political stability of this country. The judges have confirmed that there is no democracy, no rule of law,” Lukwago said. Lukwago asked Ugandans to use the powers vested in them by the constitution to decide the next course of action adding that he has confidence that Ugandans will at one time rescue their country. “What we call culture of constitutionalism or rule of law has ended. Uganda has joined other countries that have no rule of law. If fact they have declared President Museveni as life president. We are strong that we are on the right side of history. History will say there were men and women who stood firm as the country was going astray,” Lukwago said.
Male Mabirizi said he was upset by the judgement because it has exposed “wolves’ that have been hiding in the judiciary system. He added that the regime has been shaken by the fact that three out of seven judges declared age limit law null and void. “First of all I want to differ with Lord Mayor. I am not annoyed. I am happy. We have lost this battle but we have gained. When you are fighting a dictator even if you scrap off one grass you celebrate. Today we have scrapped off an iron sheet not a mere grass,” Mabirizi said.
Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze, wondered why judges acknowledged that it was wrong for army to raid parliament and beat up MPs to the extent of maiming them, but still upheld the ruling of the constitutional court. The Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, said he never expected any positive outcome from the Supreme Court Justices. “When you are escorting a liar, you escort him up to his house door. Because when you stop him on the way people may not know. I am not surprised that Chief Justice could say beating MPs was wrong but what was passed was right. Judges could not decide contrary to what the regime in power wants,” Ssemujju said.
Makindye East MP, Allan Sewanyana, said he was surprised that Chief Justice Bart Katureebe said he could not read or write but managed to deliver a judgement against the wish of Ugandans. “This has shown us that there is no hope in courts because they are on the whims of President Museveni. It is upon us as Ugandans to hit streets and we rescue ourselves like it happened in Sudan,” visible charged Sewanyana said. Former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza appreciated justices Lillian Tibatemwa, Eldard Mwanguhya and Paul Mugamba who ruled against the age limit law. “People of Uganda did not want the Constitution amended. I thank the three justices who stood with Justice Kakuru who declared age limit law null and void,” Kiiza said. Democratic Party President Norbert Mao said they do not accept the legitimacy of the judgment on account of the clash between the evidence and the final conclusions by the judges.
Norbert Mao the DP President General, said that the final court in this matter will be the citizens who will take back their country arguing that the responsible bodies won’t deliver justice. “Are we going to make it a habit for private members of parliament acting on impulse and inducements of a dictator who wants to rule for life? Is that going to be the way we amend a document as important as the constitution of Uganda?” Mao asked. Adding that; “But like I said, we have not lost hope. The final court is the court of the people. So, from now on, it is People Power. That’s all we have.”
The Deputy Attorney General, described the judgment as ‘the most reasoned, well-balanced’ and that the justices expressed their views which climaxed into to delivery of justice. He asked Ugandans to celebrate the victory of the Supreme Court verdict. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
