Age limit petition to be heard next year

Justices of the Supreme court led by the Chief Justice Bart Katurebe (left) during the pre hearing session for the age limit case at the Supreme court in Kampala. PHOTOS: Miriam Namutebi

The Supreme Court has given a timeline within which to dispose of the constitutional petition in which lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi and Uganda Law Society (ULS) unsuccessfully challenged a constitutional court judgement upholding the scrapping of the 75-year upper limit on those seeking to contest for the presidency.

After completing the conferencing earlier today during which the parties agreed upon eight issues for determination of the court, Chief Justice Bart Katureebe revealed that the actual hearing of the petition will be on January 15 and 16, 2019.

 Mabirizi (left), the appellant chats with Lawyer Nathan Mpenja during the pre-hearing session

As per the timeline agreed upon by the parties, the appellants are expected to submit written submissions within two weeks (by 28th November, 2018), to which the Attorney General will make written replies within three weeks.

Thereafter, the appellants will have one week (not later than 31st, December 2018) to make any rejoinders, if any.

"Go and make sound research and submit relevant authorities so that at the end of the day, people don't accuse us of making a political judgement," Katureebe in his final orders to the parties.

 Lawyer Male Mabirizi(left), the appellant,during the pre-hearing session for the age limit case 

Katureebe had earlier rejected a request by Mabirizi (who is representing himself) and Erias Lukwgo to make oral submissions saying that its time wasting.

 Justices of the Supreme Court led by the Chief Justice Bart Katurebe (4th right) during the pre hearing session for the age limit case

Erias Lukwago is representing MPs Gerald Karuhanga, Jonathan Odur, Ssemujju Nganda and Winnie Kiiza. However, all the three petitions have been consolidated.

 Pre hearing session for the Age Limit case at Supreme Court in Kampala 

 Erias Lukwago(left) consults with Uganda Law Society lawyer Dan Wandera (right) during the pre hearing session

 (L-R) Uganda Law Society lawyers Ladislaus Rwakafuzi (left) and Dan Wandera (right)chat with Erias Lukwago(centre) 

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