Uganda's 'life presidency' law faces legal challenge

KAMPALA, Uganda – A court in Uganda is hearing a case that seeks to overturn a law that removed an age limit to the long-time president's rule.

Opposition politicians and the local bar association are challenging the law, passed in December, that allows President Yoweri Museveni to potentially hold power for nearly five decades.

The law removed a measure in the constitution that prevented anyone older than 75 from being president.

Museveni, a U.S. ally who took power by force in 1986, is 73 and would have been ineligible to run again when his term expires in 2021.

Museveni is the latest of a number of African leaders who have tried to prolong their time in power by changing the constitution or other means.