The Electoral Commission (EC) has thrown Mathias Walukagga out of the Busiro East parliamentary race for lacking the minimum academic qualifications to stand for the position, Bbeg Media has learnt.
Walukagga had been taken to the EC tribunal by supporters of Medard Lubega Sseggona, who claimed that the mature entry examination certificate presented by Walukagga for nomination did not equate to A-levels.
The decision, detailed in an official letter dated November 25, 2025, from the EC to Signature Advocates representing the petitioner, stems from a complaint lodged on November 4, 2025.
The core issue centered on a certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test awarded by the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
The certificate, issued following a test held on February 25, 2023, where Walukaga scored 54%, bore issuance and expiry dates of June 12, 2023, and June 12, 2025, respectively.
Crucially, the EC noted that the document was used for nomination on October 23, 2025, well after its expiry.
“At the time the certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test was used for nomination by Walukaga Mathias of October 23, 2025, it had expired, thus rendering it invalid,” the letter signed by Justice Simon Byabakama stated.
Walukaga’s legal team countered that his ongoing university enrollment revived the certificate’s validity.
After reviewing submissions from both sides during hearings on November 7, 10, 14, and 15, 2025, the EC delved into regulatory details. It cited a letter from IUIU dated November 11, 2025, confirming the test details but emphasizing the two-year lifespan.
“The same letter states that the certificate expires after two (2) years, if the candidate has not used it to enroll for further studies; otherwise, the certificate remains valid. However, the said certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude has a life span of 2 years, which period is specifically stated on the document,” the letter noted.
The commission also invoked paragraph 9(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Regulations, 2015.
“In light of the above observations, the Commission… found that the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test presented by the candidate is invalid/expired and therefore cannot be used for purposes of his nomination.”
Walukaga could not be reached for immediate comment, while the petitioner’s advocates declined to elaborate pending further legal steps.
