Uganda: Presidential age limit removal approved; protests possible /update 1

Event

On Thursday, July 26, the Constitutional Court in Mbale, located east of the capital Kampala, ruled in favor of lifting presidential age limits, thus allowing President Yoweri Museveni to run for a sixth term in 2021. Related protests are possible and violent clashes between protesters and security personnel cannot be ruled out.

Context

On December 20, 2017, the parliament approved the constitutional amendment to remove presidential age limits, which was legally challenged by opposition members.

Under former laws, the president must have been under the age of 75 on election day. Museveni will be 77 by the time of the next vote. He has been in power since 1986.

Numerous protests denouncing the amendment took place between September and January - especially in Kampala, where clashes with security forces occurred. 

Advice

Individuals in Uganda are advised to monitor developments in the political situation and to avoid any public demonstrations.