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- Oct 18, 2011
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Francis Gimara, questions articles 8 and 10 of the constitutional amendment Act which extend the terms of office of MPs and Local government leaders by two more years
The Uganda Law Society has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking to annul the newly enacted Constitutional Amendment Act 2018 that extends the term of office of the President, Local government and MPs by two years.
The petition was filed in the office of the Registrar at the constitutional court in Kampala.
The petitioner, the Uganda Law Society through its President Francis Francis Gimara, questions articles 8 and 10 of the constitutional amendment Act which extend the terms of office of MPs and Local government leaders by two more years
The law society also argues that passing the constitutional amendment by implication now requires the Electoral Commission to hold separate parliamentary and presidential polls contravening current provisions in the constitution.
The law society is aggrieved with the manner in which the amendment was conceptualized, tabled, debated and passed by Parliament on 20th December.
The law society also says the constitutional amendment undermines the sovereignty of the people. It adds that the assault and arrest of MPs by security forces in Parliament’s chambers during the debate on the amendments contravenes articles of the constitution on personal liberty, respect for human dignity and freedom of expression.
The petition is backed by affidavits signed by the constitutional lawyer and former chairperson of the constitutional review commission Prof.Frederick Ssempebwa as well as Agago North MP and former leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Morris Ogenga Latigo.
The Attorney General is expected to file a response to the petition within 15 days.
Other groups including the opposition Forum for Democratic Change party and six MPs suspended from the house during the debate on the constitutional amendment are also expected to file separate petitions challenging the act this week.
