The NUP candidate disqualification of Mathias Walukaga has sparked national attention. Specifically, Uganda’s Electoral Commission revoked his nomination for the Busiro East parliamentary seat. This happened because his academic certificate had already expired.
Walukaga is a musician and the current mayor of Kyengera Town Council. Moreover, he was nominated by the National Unity Platform (NUP) to challenge Medard Ssegona. Notably, Ssegona has held the seat since 2011 and is now running as an Independent.
Importantly, the Electoral Commission’s decision followed a complaint filed on November 4, 2025. According to the petitioner, Walukaga lacked the minimum academic qualification required by law. As stated in Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, candidates must hold at least an Advanced Level certificate or its recognized equivalent.
To support his bid, Walukaga submitted a Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate from the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). It was issued on June 12, 2023, and clearly showed an expiry date of June 12, 2025. However, he used it during his nomination on October 23, 2025—which means it was already invalid.
In addition, he provided a Certificate of Equivalence from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) dated June 11, 2025. His legal team argued that the certificate remained valid because he had enrolled in a degree program. They further cited an IUIU letter confirming he passed the test with 54%.
Despite this, the Electoral Commission disagreed. In particular, it pointed to Legal Notice No. 12 of 2015. This law clearly states that mature-age certificates are valid for only two years from issuance. Crucially, enrollment in a university does not extend that period.
Furthermore, the Commission referenced a 2007 Supreme Court ruling. In the case of Gole Nicholas Davis vs Loi Kiryapawo, the court held that an NCHE certificate cannot revive an expired qualification. Based on this precedent, the Commission ruled Walukaga ineligible.
Consequently, this NUP candidate disqualification raises important questions. For instance, should academic rules be this rigid? On one hand, some argue leadership experience—like Walukaga’s mayoral role—should count. On the other hand, others believe strict standards ensure qualified MPs.
For NUP, the loss is both symbolic and strategic. After all, Busiro East was a key target in their 2026 campaign. Now, they must decide whether to nominate a replacement quickly. If they fail to act, Ssegona could win without facing serious opposition.
Additionally, the case highlights a systemic problem. Many Ugandans, especially older aspirants, use mature-age entry to access higher education. Yet, the two-year validity window is extremely tight. As a result, election timelines often clash with academic cycles—which can unfairly disqualify capable candidates.
Ultimately, the NUP candidate disqualification serves as a clear warning. All submitted documents must be both legally and temporally valid. Even more, the Electoral Commission shows no leniency—even in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.
Looking ahead, Uganda’s 2026 elections demand extra diligence. Therefore, candidates must verify every credential well in advance. Remember, an expired certificate—even by one day—can end a campaign before it truly begins.
READ: Aspirant Chains Himself to UNEB Gate Over Disqualification
