The Electoral Commission (EC) has nullified the nomination of Mathias Walukaga and disqualified him from contesting the Busiro East parliamentary seat after ruling that the academic documents he submitted failed to meet the legal requirements for elective office.

In a letter signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Commission stated that Walukaga lacked the minimum formal qualifications stipulated under Section 4 (1) (C) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, noting that the academic certificate he presented had already expired.

“In accordance with Section 4 (1) (C) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, Candidate Walukaga has been disqualified,” the EC letter read.

This decision follows a petition filed by Walukaga’s rival, Medard Ssegona, on 4^th November, 2025, shortly after Walukaga’s nomination on 23^rd October, 2025.

To review the case, the EC held four meetings on 7^th, 10^th, 14^th, and 15^th November 2025, carefully examining evidence from both parties.

Investigations revealed that Walukaga had presented a Mature Age Entry Certificate issued by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on 12^th June, 2023, with an expiry date of 12^th June, 2025.

The certificate was used as an equivalent to the required Advanced Level (A Level) qualification for nomination, despite being expired by the nomination date.

IUIU confirmed in a letter dated 11^th November, 2025, that Walukaga scored 54% in the Mature Age Test on 25^th February, 2023, and highlighted that such certificates expire after two years if not used for further studies.

The EC cited Paragraph 9(b) of Legal Notice No. 12 of 2015 and Supreme Court precedents, emphasizing that a National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) equivalence letter cannot validate an expired certificate.

“The Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test presented by Walukaga Mathias had, by 23rd October 2025, clearly expired,” the EC letter stated.

NCHE spokesperson Saul Waigolo explained that the certificate is only valid for two years from the exam date, and once this period expires, the council cannot verify or authenticate it for any use, including university admission or eligibility for political office.

“A Mature Age Certificate is valid for only two years from the exam date. After that, NCHE cannot verify or authenticate it for any purpose, whether for further studies or political eligibility,” Waigolo noted.

Walukaga has stated that he is currently in the final semester of a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at St. Lawrence University and intends to pursue a master’s degree.

However, his expired credentials disqualified him from the 2025/2026 elections, in line with the EC’s July 2025 directive requiring verified A Level certificates or valid equivalents with fresh verification for all aspirants.

The disqualification of Walukaga highlights EC’s commitment to upholding academic standards for elective office.

By enforcing stricter verification of qualifications, the commission aims to ensure that only candidates who meet the legal and educational requirements can contest, strengthening the integrity of Uganda’s electoral process ahead of the 2025/2026 elections.