NRM supporters storm High court, protest Kadaga's summoning over age-limit bill
A group of NRM supporters on Wednesday stormed the High Court civil division protesting summons issued to the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to appear before court and explain why she suspended six MPs during the age-limit bill debate.
The six MPs who were recently suspended from the house successfully sought summons against Kadaga to personally appear for cross examination from the legislators' lawyers.
Kadaga was expected in court today but by the time of writing this, she had not yet showed up.
According to the group identifying themselves as NRM media activists, it is wrong for court to summon Kadaga to appear in court.
"All she did was legal. She could not allow them cause chaos in parliament as if the state is not functioning," said one Joseph Kiyimba who claimed he hailed from Lwengo district.
Carrying placards and donning yellow NRM t-shirts, the group said Kadaga acted within the provisions of the law while conducting parliamentary proceedings that led to the eventual passing of the age limit bill.
Some of Kadaga's supporters carrying placards outside court
"The MPs consulted us and we gave them a go ahead to lift the term limits,"said one Mulangira Wasajja.
They said that the main role of parliament is to enact laws and that the proceedings during the passing of the age limit bill followed the procedure.
"Kadaga couldn't allow these MPs cause chaos and bring proceedings to a halt."
Six MPs including Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Allan Ssewanyana, Gerald Karuhanga, Jonathan Odur, Anthony Akol and Mubarak Manyangwa were suspended from the August house for allegedly masterminding chaos and missed out the debate as parliament finally passed the age limit bill.
On December 20, parliament finally passed the age limit bill in which a total of 317 MPs voted in favour of the motion to lift the age limit whereas 97 members were against.
President Museveni last week signed the bill into law.
In his new year message at his country home in Rwakitura on Sunday evening, President Museveni praised the 317 legislators who voted in favour of the bill.
“I salute the 317 MPs who defied intimidation, alignment, and blackmail and opted for a flexible Constitution to deal with destiny issues of Africa,”Museveni said.
