{UAH} Decision to hold plebiscite on presidential term referendum raises questions

Decision to hold plebiscite on presidential term referendum raises questions

Makerere University Law don Ronald Mayambala believes it is too early for cabinet to take that path because if the constitutional court quashes the extension of the lawmakers' term, it would mean Uganda has to hold an election in 2021 and 2023 which is too expensive for the struggling economy.

Yesterday Cabinet resolved that the country carries a referendum in order to extend the five-year Presidential term to seven years. 

 

However, a Makerere University Law don believes it is too early for cabinet to take that path because if the constitutional court quashes the extension of the lawmakers' term, it would mean Uganda has to hold an election in 2021 and 2023 which is too expensive for the struggling economy.

 

This is the process before a referendum is held

 

Cabinet will prepare a bill

 

The Bill will be sent to Parliament where a motion will be passed and it is read three times.

 

Parliament will debate on the matter

 

After that voting takes place and the 2/3 of the majority for or against will take the day.

 

After the President has assented to the Act, it is then sent to the Electoral Commission which comes up with the budget, date, and questions which will be asked during the referendum.

 

On the  heels of a Constitutional Petition filed by the opposition, Mayambala opined about some of the grounds he believes will be used to strike down the Constitutional Amendment Ground

 

Mayambala argues that opposition members who have been challenging the extension of the term from five to seven should resign on moral grounds even if they lose the petition. However the opposition chief whip Ssemujju Nganda said that it is not necessary for them to resign.

 

The law don also believes a referendum will give the MPs an excuse for extending their term.

 

For now, the Opposition still has an option of seeking a court injunction blocking the referendum process till their petition is disposed of adjudicated upon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=71&v=WvhfqkYWQ3w

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

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"Even a small dog can piss on a tall building" Jim Hightower

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