The Electoral Commission has disqualified singer and National Unity Platform (NUP) flag-bearer Mathias Walukagga from the Busiro East parliamentary race after determining that he lacked the minimum academic qualifications required for nomination.
The decision comes at a politically charged moment, as incumbent MP Medard Sseggona opted to run as an independent, deepening tensions in the constituency.
The EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission said Walukagga used an expired Mature Age Entry Certificate during his nomination on October 23, 2025.
“The Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test Walukaga Mathias presented for nomination had, by 23rd October 2025, clearly expired,” Justice Byabakama stated.
A petition filed on November 4, 2025, claimed that Walukagga’s certificate, issued by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), had a two-year validity period which had already lapsed at the time of his nomination—thus making it invalid for purposes of contesting for Parliament.
Walukagga’s lawyers argued that the certificate was still valid since it had been used to enroll him into a Bachelor’s degree programme in Public Administration. However, the Commission rejected that reasoning.
Justice Byabakama explained that although the university confirmed Walukagga sat for the test in February 2023 and scored 54%, the certificate’s validity was clearly limited by law.
“A Certificate awarded to a person who sat and passed the mature age entry examinations shall be valid for two years from the date of the award,” he quoted from Legal Notice No.12 of 2015.
He further emphasized the Commission’s legal position, noting that the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) certificate of equivalence cannot revive an expired qualification.
“A certificate of NCHE is not a qualification by itself and it cannot give life to an invalid or expired qualification,” Byabakama said, referencing a Supreme Court precedent.
Following multiple meetings held between November 7 and 15, 2025, the Commission unanimously concluded that Walukagga did not meet the academic requirements under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“Accordingly, Candidate Walukaga Mathias lacked the requisite minimum formal qualifications for the elective office of Member of Parliament,” the EC chairperson ruled. “Candidate Walukaga Mathias therefore stands disqualified.”
Copies of the decision have been sent to his lawyers at Alaka & Co. Advocates and Nalukoola Advocates, as well as the Wakiso District Returning Officer.
