Some of the MPs who were ‘thrown out’ of parliament for representing non-existent constituencies are moving to file for a review of their case on grounds that they were not heard as enshrined in Article 28 (1) of the Constitution.

Bugiri’s Asuman Basalirwa is one of the six who is vocal about the appeal. 

Justice Christopher Madrama Izama, however says the MPs did not deserve to heard because they were unlawfully in parliament.

He added that, “The right to a hearing is not violated because what is being asked of this court is whether the office of the MP in the contested municipalities exists in terms of a vacancy under the Constitution before the next general elections.

“The right to a hearing and a fair one at that is enshrined in Article 28 (1) of the Constitution and cannot be derogated from under Article 44 (c) of the Constitution. Such a right can only be asserted if there was a lawful vacancy in an office of MP that had been contested for. Secondly, the right is available in the process of challenging a person who had been elected in an office envisaged in the Constitution.”

The affected MPs include; Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (Sheema Municipality, NRM), ; Patrick Ochan (Apac, UPC), Tarsis Rwaburindore Bishanga (Ibanda Municipality, NRM), Hashim Sulaiman (Nebbi Municipality, NRM), Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality, Jeema) and Peter Abrahams Lokii (Kotido Municipality, NRM).