Court dismisses Ken Lukyamuzi's age-limit case

The civil division of the High Court in Kampala has dismissed an application  by John Ken Lukyamuzi (CP), Dr.Abed Bwanika and Asuman Basaalirwa (JEEMA) seeking to halt parliament's debate on the age-limit bill report.

The three through their lawyers led by Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi had petitioned court on Monday seeking to bring to a halt any proceedings.

They argued that it is only through a referendum where the age limit could be changed.

They also filed for an interim order seeking to stop parliament from debating the matter until their main application is done away with.

On Friday the court's deputy registrar, Joy Kabagye  however dismissed the application saying that  Parliament is an independent arm of government which can stand on its own.

"It's obvious that parliament has not violated any law in the ongoing stages amendment,"she said.

She quoted article 79 of the Constitution that mandates parliament to make laws adding that no one can stop lawmakers from exercising this duty given to them under the law.

Kabagye explained  that the concerns of the petitioners were substantial but noted that she could not make any decision regarding the matter at this stage.

She dismissed the application but didn't award costs to parliament.

The speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga on Thursday adjourned the August House to Monday morning for a sitting to deliberate on the age-limit report on the age limit bill.

The bill was tabled by Igara West MP Raphael Magyezi seeking to amend the presidential upper age limit in the Constitution.

Article 102 (b) of the Constitution emphasises 35 and 75 years as the lower and upper age limits respectively.