The East African Court of Justice ( EACJ ) has on Wednesday thrown out the contested presidential age limit petition filed by city lawyer Male Mabirizi. Mabirizi was compelled to go to the East African Court to dispute the Uganda supreme court’s ruling on the removal of the clause on age limit for presidential candidates. […]
The East African Court of Justice ( EACJ ) has on Wednesday thrown out the contested presidential age limit petition filed by city lawyer Male Mabirizi.
Mabirizi was compelled to go to the East African Court to dispute the Uganda supreme court’s ruling on the removal of the clause on age limit for presidential candidates.
In 2017, the Ugandan parliament had passed the bill on December 20, with 317 politicians voting in favor and 97 against among other measures, the bill aimed to eliminate the requirement that candidates vying for the presidency be under 75 years of age.
The termination of the age requirement cleared the way for the 73-year-old Yoweri Museveni, to seek reelection in 2021. Museveni signed the bill into law on December 27.
In 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed a challenge by Museveni’s opponents, including Mabirizi who had appealed against a decision by the constitutional court maintaining the amendment.
Mabirizi forwarded the case to the East African Court On July 14th, 2020, before five judges through a video-link, who heard the final submissions from Mabirizi and Uganda Attorney General (AG) William Byaruhanga.
However on Wednesday 30th September 2020, a judgment has been delivered by EACJ Principal Judge Monica Mugenyi dismissing the matter with costs on each party involved.
Court ruled that when the parliament of Uganda passes the law despite irregularities and the president assents to it, it becomes binding.
