Kampala, Uganda – A group of opposition lawmakers in the eleventh parliament is initiating plans to gather signatures to invoke Article 107 of the constitution in an effort to remove incumbent President Gen. Yoweri Museveni from office.
The president, currently on sick leave due to his Covid-19 diagnosis, is being criticized for disregarding national protocol, which dictates that he appoint his Vice President as the acting president or follow the order of national precedence by appointing the Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Speaker, or the Chief Justice.
President Museveni, however, chose to appoint Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja as the acting president, despite her involvement in a pending corruption case. In a tweet, the president explained that his Vice President, Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo, was away on official duties representing the country at an IGAD summit in Djibouti.
Kyadondo East MP Hon. Muwadda Nkunyinji has announced his intention to mobilize signatures for the impeachment of the president, citing a breach of the constitution.
“What he did undermines Article 109, which clearly stipulates who takes over when the president is indisposed. We are tired of Mr. Museveni’s total disregard for the supreme laws of the country,” Muwadda stated. “I will mobilize signatures and invoke Article 107, which calls for his impeachment under such circumstances. You cannot appoint an iron sheets thief to serve as president when you know she is a prime suspect in a corruption case. You are showing us that your regime condones corruption,” he added.
Prominent legal expert and Democratic Party attorney Luyimbaazi Nalukoola commented on Museveni’s choice of an inexperienced Nabbanja, suggesting that the president deliberately avoids selecting competent individuals who could potentially succeed him.
“These despots are smart. They never choose intelligent people to succeed them. They instead go for the raw ones to take over from them. I am not surprised that he chose Nabbanja,” Nalukoola remarked.
Former Uganda Law Society President Phoena Wall Nabaasa responded to MP Muwadda’s impeachment plans, stating that they are legally untenable.
“He has to prove beyond doubt that the president is indisposed and unable to perform any duties,” she said.
Muwadda, however, intends to initiate legal proceedings against the president for deliberately spreading a deadly disease when he was aware of his Covid-19 status.
“He knew he was Covid-19 positive and proceeded to shake hands with the Speaker of Parliament and the Deputy Speaker a day before the state of the nation address. This is very reckless and provides a fertile ground for his impeachment,” Muwadda asserted.
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