KAMPALA–The Democratic Party, the oldest political party in the country, has run to court to challenge the decision taken by the Speaker of Parliament to suspend 25 legislators, opposing the lifting of Presidential age limit.
Alex Waiswa, the deputy party spokesperson, filed the case, arguing that suspending the legislators contravenes the rules and procedures governing the Parliamentary sittings.
Speaking to PML Daily today, Waiswa hopes court will block the Speaker from making such errors again.
“I have gone to court to empower all the MPs. The executive seems to be running the legislature. I want Parliament to be independent,” Waiswa argued.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga suspended 25 legislators, mostly on the opposition and a minister, over causing chaos in the House as they tried to stop the tabling of the age limit bill that aims at amending Article 102 (b) of the Constitution to scrap age limits.
The legislators refused to vacate the House, prompting security agents to forcefully evict them in a manner that sent shock waves across the country.
Waiswa in his suit also argues that evicting the MPs in such a brutal manner was illegal.
“And the Inspector General Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura has no business whatsoever in Parliament,” he added.
He also demanded the Special Forces Command (SFC) to explain why it stormed the parliamentary chambers, evicted MPs and injured Mityana Municipality legislator Francis Zaake Butebi and Soroti Woman MP Angelina Osege.
His move comes at a time when Opposition legislators are traversing the country, consulting their voters on the controversial age limit bill. Their counter parts from NRM party are holding consultative meetings with local leaders.
In Rukungiri district this week, one person Edson Nassasira was shot dead when Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former FDC Presidential candidate and the area MP Roland Kaginda were blocked from accessing Rukungiri stadium.
This was after the Police had banned joint consultation meetings conducted by the opposition legislators on the controversial bill.
The age limit bill currently before Parliament aims at removing the age cap for persons aspiring for the Presidency of the country. Once passed, President Museveni who will be 77 years in 2021 will be legible to stand for another term in office. Opposition legislators contend that the bill seeks to introduce life presidency in the country.
In a letter issued to all regional police commanders (RPCs) and district police commanders (DPCs), AIGP Assuman Mugenyi has ordered police to ensure that the MPs “strictly consult in their constituencies only.
