Former Kabula County MP and current MP for Older Persons in Central Uganda, James Kakooza, has urged legislators to prioritize public consultation, citing the controversial Age Limit Petition as a critical lesson in lawmaking.
Speaking during the ongoing induction of Members of Parliament for the 12th Parliament, Kakooza reminded lawmakers that failure to involve citizens in legislative processes can have serious constitutional consequences.
His remarks referenced Constitutional Court Petition No. 49 of 2017, widely known as the Age Limit Petition, which challenged amendments to Uganda’s Constitution.
Kakooza noted that one of the key grounds on which parts of the law were nullified was the lack of adequate consultation with citizens.
According to him, the court was clear that public participation is not optional but a mandatory requirement, especially in matters involving constitutional amendments.
“The court agreed that consultation and public participation is a mandatory requirement of all legislative processes, especially if a Constitution is concerned,” Kakooza told the MPs.
He further explained that the court went beyond general principles and provided a clear definition of what meaningful consultation entails.
This includes structured discussions, public meetings, and open engagements where citizens are free to share their views without intimidation.
Kakooza emphasized that participation should not be treated as a formality but as a genuine process of involving citizens in decision-making.
He described it as giving ordinary voters an opportunity to contribute ideas, express concerns, and influence outcomes on matters that directly affect them.
His remarks come at a time when questions around public participation continue to shape legislative debates across the region.
In Uganda, the Age Limit debate remains one of the most contentious constitutional moments in recent history, drawing both domestic and international attention.