By our reporter
The Electoral Commission has nullified the nomination of Busiro East parliamentary hopeful Mathias Walukagga, ruling that the academic certificate he submitted had already expired by the time he filed his papers on October 23, 2025.
The decision delivered by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama follows a petition filed on November 4, 2025, challenging Walukagga’s eligibility to stand for Parliament.
🔍 Why the Nomination Was Nullified
The petitioners argued that Walukagga relied on a Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate issued by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on June 12, 2023.
However, under Legal Notice No. 12 of 2015, such certificates are only valid for two years, meaning Walukagga’s expired on June 12, 2025—four months before nomination day.
Mature Age Certificates help adult learners gain entry into university without traditional secondary qualifications. Once expired, they cannot be used for admission, employment, or election nominations.
📝 Walukagga’s Defense
Walukagga’s legal team argued that the certificate remained valid because he used it to gain admission into a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, a program he is currently pursuing.
IUIU confirmed he passed the test on February 25, 2023, with a score of 54%.
But the EC found that:
The certificate explicitly showed it expired on June 12, 2025.
An NCHE equivalence letter issued on June 11, 2025, could not extend or revive an expired certificate.
IUIU clarified that once the two-year period lapses, the certificate becomes unusable for administrative purposes.
The EC also cited the Supreme Court decision in Gole Nicholas Davis vs Loi Kiryapawo (2007), which establishes that NCHE equivalence is not an academic qualification on its own.
⚖️ EC Verdict
Justice Byabakama concluded that Walukagga did not meet the minimum academic requirements under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“Candidate Walukagga Mathias therefore stands de-nominated,” the EC stated.
Unless he seeks judicial review in the High Court, Walukagga is officially out of the Busiro East race.
🎭 Political Implications for NUP
The ruling is a stinging setback for the National Unity Platform (NUP), which had vetted and cleared Walukagga over its incumbent Medard Lubega Sseggona.
The party must now decide whether to reconcile with Sseggona or possibly surrender the seat to another contender.
More than 10 candidates remain in the Busiro East contest, including:
Medard Lubega Sseggona (Incumbent)
Lillian Nakate
Emmanuel Magoola
Irene Nasolo
Kangave Fred
Masmus Kalungi
Bangi Fatuma (ANT)
📌 Why This Matters
The EC’s decision signals heightened scrutiny ahead of the 2026 General Elections, reinforcing that aspirants must meet all legal requirements—and that expired documents will not be entertained.
For voters and political actors, the case is a stark reminder: all academic documents must be current, valid, and legally recognized.
As of publication, Walukagga has not issued a statement responding to the ruling.
