DO NOT CRITICIZE THE RETIREMENT AGE, RETIRE WHEN YOUR TIME CLOCKS- COUNSEL FILBERT OPEITUM

By 

Ecungu George William

UGANDA- Counsel Filbert Opeitum has urgued ugandans not to mix the recently made amendment on article 102(b) of the constitution of the republic of uganda with any other office. 

Opeitum made this call on Friday 20th, January, 2023 while addressing a section of the youth from Kampala International University. He stated that article 102(b) of the constitution of uganda which was ammended in 2018 where the age limit was scrapped only applies to the office of the president of Uganda but not to all offices. Initially, the article had stipulated that "a person who is 75 years old in uganda shall not contest to be elected the president of Uganda". In 2018, this section of the Article was scrapped hence making it open for people who are above 75years to contest to be elected the president of Uganda.

 According to counsel Filbert Opeitum, the change which was made in this article has confused most of the ugandans where the majority have concluded that all offices in uganda nolonger have age limit. 

He added that much as article 2 of the constitution of the republic of uganda states that "any law which is incontrary to the constitution of uganda shall be to the extent of its contrary be treated as null and void", the scrapping of article 102(b) does not affect any office in uganda but only the office of the president of Uganda." Article 102(b) of the constitution of the republic of uganda is specifically for the office of the president, it does not apply to any office. It is strictly for presidency"-Opeitum explained.

This comes following allegations that some people in uganda today have concluded that their is no more age limit in uganda. This has made some government workers to criticize the retirement age of 65 years claiming that age limit was scrapped. One of the principal of constitutional interpretation according to counsel Filbert Opeitum is that, you should not read part of the constitution but you need to read the constitution as a whole, and words used in a constitution should be considered in their meaning.

I want to appeal to the civil servants and other workers, let us follow the law. If the retirement age is 65, dont oppose it for the sake of article 102(b) of the constitution of uganda which is specifically for the office of the president. We serving in offices which are totally different from the office of the president" counsel Filbert Opeitum remarked.

Sources reaching to our news desk indicate that some ugandans are advocating for the removal of age limit in all offices across uganda. However, according to Mr. Martine Osege, a professional teacher, he explained that their is no need to scrap age limit in all offices in uganda. "The maximum age limit which was removed for the office of the president should remain in the office of the president alone. We the civil servants and other departments, should mantain our maximum age limit. If you are meant to retire at the age of 65 years, please dont hesitate" Mr. Osege explained.

 According to Mr Osege, should government risk to remove maximum age limit for all offices in uganda, then unemployment shall dominate. "Maximum age limit creates jobs for ugandans, i appeal ugandans not to hesitate when your retirement age reaches. Smartly, resign, and create an office for unemployed ugandan too to be employed" Said mr. Osege.