The National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for the Busiro East parliamentary race, Mathias Walukagga, has petitioned the High Court challenging his recent disqualification by the Electoral Commission (EC) over alleged failure to meet the required academic qualifications.
Through his lawyers, Walukagga argues that the commission acted without jurisdiction when it rejected his academic documents, which he says had already been verified and approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Addressing journalists after filing the petition on Friday, one of his lawyers, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, said the EC overstepped its constitutional mandate.
“The Electoral Commission has no powers to overturn findings of the National Council for Higher Education. Its mandate is election management, not determining who went to school or not,” Nalukoola said.
Walukagga also faulted the manner in which the commission handled the matter, saying it failed to act with urgency despite the time-sensitive nature of electoral disputes.
“It is deeply regrettable that the Electoral Commission issued a decision dated November 25, 2025, but only delivered it on December 9, 2025, fully aware that this is a matter in which time is of the essence,” Walukagga said, adding that he remains confident the courts will deliver justice.
Earlier this week, the Justice Simon Byabakama-led Electoral Commission disqualified Walukagga from the Busiro East race after finding that he did not meet the minimum academic requirements for nomination.
The decision followed a petition filed on November 4, 2025, by the incumbent Busiro East Member of Parliament and former NUP member, Medard Sseggona, who challenged Walukagga’s eligibility.
According to the EC, investigations established that the Certificate of Mature Age or Aptitude Test that Walukagga presented during nomination had expired by October 23, 2025.
“Accordingly, Candidate Walukagga 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 Walukagga Mathias therefore stands disqualified,” Justice Byabakama ruled.
The High Court is now expected to determine whether the Electoral Commission acted lawfully in rejecting Walukagga’s academic documents and whether he should be reinstated in the Busiro East parliamentary race.
