By Juliet Nalwooga
The Constitutional Court has summoned the Commander of Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to respond to a petition in which he is accused of expressing his presidential ambitions yet he is still a serving army officer.
According to the May 6th court documents, Muhoozi has been given 10 days to file his defense upon receipt of the summons.
Also summoned are the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Wilson Mbadi and the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
Last Thursday, a concerned lawyer, Gawaya Tegulle, petitioned the Constitutional Court, challenging what he called unconstitutional acts by Gen Muhoozi of engaging in political activities and pronouncements, yet he is supposed to be non-partisan as he celebrated his 48th birthday last month despite being an army officer.
Speaking to Daily Monitor, Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the lawyer representing the petitioner Gawaya, says they have since secured the summons and are ready to serve Gen Muhoozi.
In his petition, Tegulle claimed the acts of Lt Gen Kainerugaba dubbed MK@48 that among others included; national and district birthday celebrations as well as political pronouncements in general and the manifest presidential campaigns in particular, on his Twitter handle, @MK, are inconsistent with Article 208 (2) of the Constitution that provides UPDF shall be non-partisan, and national.
Through his lawyers of Thomas & Michael Advocates and Nalukoola Advocates & Solicitors, the petitioner wants the court to declare the political schemes by Gen Muhoozi who is still a serving officer, unconstitutional.
