The Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified singer-turned-politician Mathias Walukaga from the Busiro East Parliamentary race after ruling that he lacked the requisite academic qualifications required for election to Parliament.
According to EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the commission’s investigation followed a petition filed on 4 November 2025, challenging the validity of Walukaga’s Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test, which he presented during nomination on 23 October 2025. The petitioner argued that the certificate had expired and was therefore invalid for nomination.
In its ruling, the EC confirmed the complaint, noting that Walukaga’s certificate—awarded after sitting for the Mature Age Entry Exam at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on 25 February 2023, where he scored 54%—was valid for only two years under Paragraph 9(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act. By nomination day, the commission found, the certificate had expired.
Justice Byabakama further clarified that documentation from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) cannot revive or legitimise an expired qualification. “The Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test Walukaga presented for nomination had, by the 23rd of October 2025, expired. Accordingly, he lacked the requisite minimum formal qualifications for the office of Member of Parliament,” he ruled.
The EC’s decision effectively removes Walukaga from the Busiro East contest.
NUP vows to go to court
Meanwhile, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has rejected the ruling, announcing plans to challenge the disqualification in court.
Party Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya described the move as part of a broader pattern of political targeting. “Our legal team is handling the matter. This is not just about Walukaga; it’s part of a wider pattern targeting NUP candidates,” he said.
Rubongoya also accused security forces—including the Police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF)—of harassing NUP supporters during campaign activities. “We are witnessing our supporters being arrested, and in some cases, beaten… This is clearly aimed at weakening our movement,” he added.
In Busiro East, the disqualification has stirred mixed reactions. Maria Goretti Namusisi, a Makerere University student and NUP supporter, expressed disappointment and frustration.
“If it were allowed to lend someone academic papers just to qualify, I would do it. We don’t want Ssegona back. He speaks for people’s issues but never brings them solutions,” she said, referring to incumbent MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, who is contesting as an independent after falling out with his former party.
With Walukaga out of the race, uncertainty now surrounds who will carry the NUP flag in Busiro East. The party’s legal challenge, expected in the coming days, will likely test not only the EC’s enforcement of qualification standards but also the overall fairness of the 2026 pre-election environment.
