The National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for the Busiro East Race, Mathias Walukagga, has, through his lawyers, petitioned the High Court challenging his recent disqualification from the race by the Electoral Commission (EC) this week over a lack of the required academic documents.
While addressing the media after petitioning the court on Friday, Mr Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, one of Walukagga’s lawyers, noted that the commission acted without jurisdiction in rejecting Walukagga’s academic documents, which the National Council approved for Higher Education (NCHE).
“EC has no powers to overturn the National Council for Higher Education findings. Its mandate is election management, not determining who went to school or not,” Nalukoola said.
Walukagga expressed confidence in the courts of law to deliver justice in the petition.
“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”, he said.
On Tuesday, Justice Simon Byabakama led EC to disqualify Walukagga after he failed to meet the required academic requirements following a November 4th petition by incumbent and former NUP member Medard Seggona to the commission.
Byabakama noted that following through investigation, the commission found that the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test Walukaga Mathias presented for nomination had, by the 23rd of October, 2025, 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” Justice Byabakama ordered by then.
