Scrutinise All Legislation
Feb 05, 2004
THE LEADER of the Democratic Party Paul Ssemogerere has called on President Museveni to resign following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that nullified the Constitutional Amendment Act.
THE LEADER of the Democratic Party Paul Ssemogerere has called on President Museveni to resign following last week’s Supreme Court ruling that nullified the Constitutional Amendment Act.
Ssemogerere’s call is absurd and shows that he is still not focussing on the key issue of rebuilding the Democratic Party.
Undoubtedly the Supreme Court ruling is very significant politically and it is absolutely appropriate for Ssemogerere to comment. In particular a new Referendum Act will need to be passed this year so that Uganda can legally switch to multi-partyism within the Constitution.
However the ruling does not invalidate Museveni’s election as president. While it may invalidate the last referendum, all that it means is that the status quo should persist and that is the Movement.
Therefore it is simple demagoguery to call for Museveni to resign, “all sound and fury signifying nothingâ€. Ssemogerere should stop the pursuit of cheap popularity and concentrate on rebuilding the grassroots party structures of the DP in preparation for the electoral struggles ahead.
Nevertheless government and the Movement cannot ignore the far-reaching political implications of the Supreme Court ruling. The Constitutional Amendment Act was struck down because it had constitutional implications but was not passed in accordance with the Constitution.
Therefore in future the Attorney General must carefully scrutinise all prospective legislation to make certain that it is compatible with the Constitution both in content and in its execution into law.
Otherwise the Government faces the embarrassing prospect of further legislation being overturned in the Constitutional or Supreme Court.
Any more such reversals would impede
the political progress of Uganda and undermine public confidence in
the political system.
Ends
Ssemogerere’s call is absurd and shows that he is still not focussing on the key issue of rebuilding the Democratic Party.
Undoubtedly the Supreme Court ruling is very significant politically and it is absolutely appropriate for Ssemogerere to comment. In particular a new Referendum Act will need to be passed this year so that Uganda can legally switch to multi-partyism within the Constitution.
However the ruling does not invalidate Museveni’s election as president. While it may invalidate the last referendum, all that it means is that the status quo should persist and that is the Movement.
Therefore it is simple demagoguery to call for Museveni to resign, “all sound and fury signifying nothingâ€. Ssemogerere should stop the pursuit of cheap popularity and concentrate on rebuilding the grassroots party structures of the DP in preparation for the electoral struggles ahead.
Nevertheless government and the Movement cannot ignore the far-reaching political implications of the Supreme Court ruling. The Constitutional Amendment Act was struck down because it had constitutional implications but was not passed in accordance with the Constitution.
Therefore in future the Attorney General must carefully scrutinise all prospective legislation to make certain that it is compatible with the Constitution both in content and in its execution into law.
Otherwise the Government faces the embarrassing prospect of further legislation being overturned in the Constitutional or Supreme Court.
Any more such reversals would impede
the political progress of Uganda and undermine public confidence in
the political system.
Ends