Uganda opposition to challenge age limit law

Opposition leader Winnie Kiiza addressing journalists in Kampala on the way forward for the opposition after MPs voted age limit removal . PHOTO | ALEX ESAGALA | NATION 

In Summary

• MPs approved a constitutional change which would remove the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.
• Opposition leader Winnie Kiiza did not specify how exactly the opposition would challenge the decision, although she hinted at a possibility of going to court.

By BBC
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Uganda's parliamentary opposition leader Winnie Kiiza says she will challenge the age limit law passed Wednesday night.

MPs approved a constitutional change which would remove the age limit of 75 for presidential candidates.

The change allows the current president, 73-year-old Yoweri Museveni, to run for an unprecedented sixth term in office.

Ms Kiiza did not specify how exactly the opposition would challenge the decision, although she hinted at a possibility of going to court.

Her objections included:

• The process and constitutional amendment being proposed by a private member of parliament.
• The invasion of the house by security personnel in September.
• The speaker allowing MPs to continue coming in after the voting process had started Wednesday.

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• Uganda MPs vote to scrap presidential age limit

MP Mbwaketamwa Gaffa is one of 19 MPs who chose to vote against the law. He explained his complaints to BBC:

"What we (MPs) did yesterday is real raping the constitution in favour of one person; President Museveni. Ugandans are so bitter. When the president ascents to the bill, it might be legal, but it will be illegitimate, and we are going to challenge it."