The Electoral Commission of Uganda’s decision of disqualifying Mathias Walukaga from Busiro East MP Race
Another vital point which is confusing people is that, After Mathias Walukaga attaining a Certificate of Mature Entry, he immediately Enrolled for Bachelor’s Degree and he is still in his Second Year at University. And the moment anyone enrolls for any further studies using mature entry certificate, the same certificate immediately becomes expired and invalid. And now that he has not yet finished his Degree, Walukaga does not possess any minimum qualification for nomination since he has not yet finished his Degree.
On the Contrary, After Hon Masaba Muhamood Mutenyo acquiring a Mature Entry Certificate, he immediately Enrolled for a Diploma and he consequently finished and graduated. It is the Diploma that he used as a basis for his nomination simply because he had fully finished and graduated whereas Walukaga has not yet finished his Degree.
Therefore those are two different scenarios and I would like to assure Team Masaba Mobilizers and Supporters that.
Read Why EC Disqualified Walukaga from Busiro East MP Race
The Electoral Commission’s decision to denominate NUP’s Mathias Walukaga from the 2026 Busiro East parliamentary race has been the subject of intense public debate.
However, the Commission’s detailed ruling — contained in its formal communication dated 25th November 2025 — clearly outlines the reasons behind the disqualification.
At the centre of the matter is the Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate that Walukaga submitted as his minimum academic qualification. According to the Commission, the certificate, issued by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on 12th June 2023, had a two-year lifespan that expired on 12th June 2025. By the time Walukaga presented it for nomination on 23rd October 2025, it had already expired, rendering it invalid under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The EC’s findings further indicate that while Walukaga argued — through his lawyers — that he had been admitted to university and was actively pursuing a Bachelor’s degree on the strength of the same certificate, this did not revive the expired qualification.
The Commission noted that the certificate’s validity period is expressly stated on the document, and the law requires candidates to present valid qualifications at the exact time of nomination, regardless of ongoing studies.
Walukaga also relied on an NCHE equivalence letter dated 11th June 2025. But the Commission reaffirmed a long-standing legal position: an NCHE equivalence does not, by itself, constitute a qualification.
Citing a Supreme Court decision in Gole Nicholas Davis vs Loi Kiryapawo, the EC emphasized that NCHE cannot extend the life of an expired academic document or validate a qualification that is no longer legally in force.
The Commission also referenced statutory benchmarks under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Legal Notice No. 12 of 2015, which provides that Mature Age Certificates remain valid for two years from the date of award for candidates who score at least 50 percent.
Walukaga’s certificate met the required pass mark but fell outside the lawful validity period by the time he appeared for nomination.
After reviewing submissions from both parties between 7th and 15th November 2025, the EC concluded:
“Test Walukaga Mathias presented for nomination had, by 23rd of October, 2025, clearly expired. Accordingly, Candidate Walukaga Mathias lacked the requisite minimum formal qualifications for the elective office of Member of Parliament as stipulated under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177. Candidate Walukaga Mathias therefore stands denominated.”
The decision has not only reshaped the race in Busiro East but also reignited public debate on the stringent academic requirements for parliamentary aspirants.
It is expected to significantly bolster the campaign of incumbent MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, who now faces a much less complicated contest following Walukaga’s exit.
The ruling was signed by EC Chairperson Justice Byabakama Simon Mugenyi and copied to Walukaga’s legal teams at M/s Alaka & Co. Advocates and M/s Nalukoola Advocates & Solicitors, as well as the Wakiso District Returning Officer.
With the Commission’s determination now on record, any further challenge will have to be pursued through the courts.
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