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Kampala
The Electoral Commission (EC) has removed National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Mathias Walukaga from the Busiro East parliamentary race after ruling that he did not meet the minimum academic qualifications required for nomination.
The decision is contained in a letter dated November 25, 2025, issued by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama in response to a petition filed on November 4, 2025. The petitioner argued that Walukaga lacked the mandatory academic requirements for a parliamentary aspirant and that the Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate he submitted had already expired by the time he presented it for nomination on October 23, 2025.
Walukaga, through his lawyers, defended his eligibility, saying the certificate was still valid since it had enabled him to gain admission to university, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
However, after hearing both parties and examining relevant laws, the EC held a series of meetings on November 7, 10, 14, and 15, 2025, and reached several key conclusions:
Based on these findings, the Commission ruled that Walukaga’s certificate had already expired by the time he appeared for nomination on October 23, 2025. Consequently, he did not meet the minimum academic requirements for a Member of Parliament under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The EC therefore ordered that Mathias Walukaga stands denominated.
Walukaga, a popular Kadongo Kamu singer and Mayor of Kyengera, had earlier won the NUP flag after defeating incumbent MP Medard Lubega Ssegona in the party primaries. Ssegona, who has represented Busiro East since 2011, is now seeking a fourth term as an independent candidate.
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