By KT Reporter
The High Court in Kampala has been asked to overturn a decision by the Electoral Commission that nullified the nomination of Busiro East parliamentary aspirant Mathias Walukagga over an alleged lack of the required academic qualifications.
Walukagga, a third-year Public Administration student at St. Lawrence University, on Friday filed an appeal challenging the Commission’s decision communicated to him in a letter by the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, dated November 25th 2025.
In his appeal before the Civil Division of the High Court, Walukagga has listed the Electoral Commission as the first respondent and his voter, John Lubowa Kilimiro, who successfully challenged his election for lack of requisite qualifications to be in Parliament before the Commission’s Tribunal. The law requires a minimum of Senior Six (Advanced Level of Education Certificate) or its equivalent for one to be nominated as a Parliamentary Candidate.
Through his legal teams from Nalukoola Advocates &Solicitors, Alaka & Company Advocates, and Ahamark Advocates, Walukagga argues that the Commission acted without jurisdiction when it cancelled his nomination despite his academic documents having been formally equated and verified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). He contends that once NCHE, working jointly with the Uganda National Examinations Board, has equated a candidate’s academic credentials, the Commission has no legal authority to review or overturn that decision.
According to the petition, Walukagga was duly nominated on October 23, 2025, to contest as Member of Parliament for Busiro East. His nomination was based on a mature age entry certificate issued by the Islamic University in Uganda on June 12, 2023.
He states that the certificate was valid for two years and was used within that period to enrol for further studies, which, according to a clarification from the University’s Academic Registrar, keeps the certificate valid even after the two-year window. He enrolled at St. Lawrence University in August 2023 and is currently in his third year of study.
In June 2025, the National Council for Higher Education equated the mature age certificate to the equivalent of Advanced Level education, and subsequently issued him a certificate of completion of formal education of advanced level standard. He argues that it is that certificate, together with the NCHE verification, that formed the basis of his nomination.
The appeal arises from a complaint filed before the Electoral Commission by voter John Kilimiro Lubowa under reference MIN.COMP/048/2025. Lubowa challenged Walukaga’s eligibility, claiming he did not meet the academic threshold for a parliamentary candidate. The Commission heard the matter over several sessions in November before issuing a decision nullifying Walukagga’s nomination because he lacked the minimum formal education requirements.
Walukagga, who appeared looking frustrated and emotional, insists that the Commission’s conclusion was unjust, unfair, and illegal. He argues that the Commission’s mandate under Article 60 of the Constitution and the Electoral Commission Act allows it only to verify whether documents presented by a candidate originate from recognised authorities, not to question or overturn the findings of expert bodies like NCHE and UNEB. He further maintains that because NCHE had confirmed his qualifications, the Commission was required to rely on that decision rather than conduct its own interpretation.
In his affidavit supporting the petition, Walukagga reiterates that the Commission failed to act within its legal limits and instead ignored binding verification from NCHE. He maintains that he satisfies all academic requirements for parliamentary nomination and was wrongly denied the right to contest for the Busiro East seat.
The National Unity Platform’s flag bearer, Walukagga, is now asking the High Court to set aside the Commission’s decision and order that he be reinstated on the ballot. He also seeks an order compelling the Commission to recognise him once again as a duly nominated candidate and to award him the costs of the suit.
The High Court is yet to set a date for hearing the appeal. The same is also yet to be allocated to a Judge who will then fix a date for hearing and accordingly summon the Electoral Commission to file its defence.
The nullification of Walukagga’s candidature has since left 12 contestants in the race. They are. National Resistance Movement’s Abdul Kiyimba, Forum for Democratic Change Fred Kangave, Uganda Peoples Congress’s Margaret Nalubowa, Patriotic Front for Freedom Ssenfuma Karol, Ecological Party’s Irene Nasolo, Masmoos Kalungi (JEEMA), and Alliance for National Transformation’s Fatumah Bangi.
Others are Independent Leaning and include Lillian Nakate, Edward Lutaya, Leonard Byenkya, Emmanuel Matovu Magora, and the Incumbent MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, who was dumped by NUP in favour of Walukaga.
This comes hot on the heels of the country going to the polls to elect Presidential and Parliamentary leaders on January 15, 2026, followed by local Government elections for positions of Councillors, Mayors, and LC5 district Chairpersons.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
