Petitioner seeks speedy hearing of Aronda case

Kampala- The petitioner challenging the appointment of Gen Aronda Nyakairima to the post of Internal Affairs’ Minister while still a serving army officer, has asked court to expedite the determination of the case in line with the legal provisions.

In the June 10 letter to the Constitutional Court, Mr Eron Kiiza wondered why his case has not been handled 10 months since it was filed despite the fact that the legal provision that makes it mandatory to handle Constitutional petitions as priority.

“Our Constitution has promised that Constitutional matters be accorded priority and handled expeditiously. My matter is being handled at snail pace. The result is that every passing month injustice prevails,” reads the letter in part.

Last year, Mr Kiiza sued the Attorney General (AG) and Gen Aronda Nyakairima challenging the former Chief Defence Forces from assuming the ministerial post.

He is seeking court orders directing that any serving member of the defence forces holding political or civilian and partisan offices vacate them within one month after judgments.
However, the AG, Mr Peter Nyombi, denies any wrongdoing, saying the petition is misconceived and does not raise issues for Constitutional interpretation.

Mr Nyombi says Gen Nyakairima’s appointment does not render him partisan since ministers are appointed to serve government not political parties.

“The second respondent is someone who is competent and qualified to be appointed as a minister being a Ugandan who meets the criteria laid out in the Constitution to be an MP,” reads the AG’s reply.

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