The High Court in Kampala has set December 22, 2025, as the date to deliver its ruling on a petition filed by Busiro East parliamentary aspirant Sir Mathias Walukaga, challenging the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to disqualify him from the race.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe fixed the ruling date after hearing submissions from both the petitioners and the respondents, setting the stage for a decisive moment that will determine whether Walukaga appears on the ballot in the forthcoming elections.
Walukaga argues that the Electoral Commission acted outside its mandate by reassessing and rejecting his academic documents, which he says had already been verified and cleared by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the legally mandated body for such verification.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025, at the High Court in Kampala, Counsel Alex Luganda, who represents Walukaga, said the court had issued strict timelines to ensure an expedited hearing of the matter.
“The court has directed the EC to file its reply and defense within one day and make submissions by Thursday, 18th December, 2025. Then on Monday, 22nd December, the court will deliver its judgment on this appeal,” Luganda said.
He added that the court’s swift handling of the matter reflects the urgency attached to electoral disputes.
“In essence, we have five days to complete everything. We appreciate the court for being expeditious. Time is a critical factor in this petition, and whichever judge handles it understands that,” Walukaga’s lawyer noted.
Luganda emphasized that the legal team is confident of success, arguing that the law governing qualifications for Members of Parliament has not changed.
He maintained that Walukaga was duly cleared by both NCHE and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), which are the statutory authorities mandated to verify academic credentials.
On his part, Walukaga urged residents of Busiro East to remain calm and steadfast, assuring them that his lawyers are working tirelessly to present all necessary evidence before court.
“I encourage my people to stay strong. My legal team is doing everything possible to ensure justice prevails,” Walukaga said.
Walukaga was disqualified from the parliamentary race after the Electoral Commission ruled that he lacked the minimum academic qualifications required to contest.
The EC cited the expiry of the Mature Age/Aptitude Test certificate he submitted at the time of nomination as the basis for its decision.
The High Court’s ruling on 22nd December, 2025, will ultimately determine Walukaga’s fate in the Busiro East contest and whether his name appears on the ballot paper.
As the ruling date approaches, all eyes will be on the High Court, whose decision is expected to not only determine Sir Mathias Walukaga’s political future in Busiro East but also clarify the limits of the EC’s mandate in verifying candidates’ academic qualifications ahead of the forthcoming elections.
