President Yoweri Museveni |
Uganda’s supreme court on Thursday backed constitutional changes that
allow long-ruling President Yoweri Museveni to extend his time in
office.
A 4-3 majority decision affirming the validity of 2017 constitutional
amendments was widely expected in the East African country where
critics say judicial independence has been eroded under President
Museveni’s 33-year rule.
The parliament, which is controlled by the ruling party, voted
overwhelmingly in December 2017 to scrap an age limit of 75 years for
presidential candidates.
The original legislation would have effectively barred 74-year-old Museveni from standing in the next elections due in 2021.
Opponents of Museveni, including lawmakers and individual opposition
activists, mounted a legal challenge to the amendment first in the
constitutional court which rejected their petition.
That rejection triggered their appeal to the supreme court.
“The decision of the constitutional court is upheld. This appeal,
therefore, fails,” ruled Bart Katurebe, the country’s chief justice and a
member of the panel.
The process to amend the constitution was marred by widespread
violence including police dispersing rallies by MPs consulting their
constituents on the amendments and beatings and detentions of opposition
activists.
Some opposition MPs were also at one time forcefully removed from the House’s debating chamber by members of military.
The petitioners had cited these incidents and other irregularities as sufficient grounds for nullification of the amendment.
Eldad Mwangusya, of the three justices, who ruled in favour of the
petition said widespread violence and security personnel interference in
MPs’ public consultations made the removal of the age limit
unconstitutional.”
“Members of parliament… were assaulted, thrown onto public vehicles,
detained and released without charge all of which amount to inhuman
treatment which is in contravention of the constitution,” he said.
In power since 1986, Museveni has been accused by critics of using security forces to stifle opposition through intimidation.
Political activists routinely allege arbitrary arrests and beatings.
In February the executive committee of the ruling National Resistance
Movement endorsed Museveni as its candidate in the next presidential
election due in 2021, potentially extending his rule to 40 years.
One of his opponents in the next polls will likely be singer and
lawmaker Bobi Wine – real name is Robert Kyagulanyi – who has rattled
officials with his fast-growing support base.
Kyagulanyi’s following has ballooned since he joined parliament
nearly two years ago, drawn by his criticism of Museveni’s long rule and
government excesses through his lyrics.
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