Walukagga’s hope to represent Busiro East hangs in balance, court set date to determine his petition
The High Court in Kampala has scheduled December 22 to deliver its judgment in an election petition filed by Mathias Walukagga, the disqualified National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirant for the Busiro East parliamentary race.
The date was set by Justice Simon Peter Kinobe on Tuesday, following a hearing in which Walukagga appeared with his lawyers, Alex Luganda and Elias Nalukoola.
At the time of the hearing, the respondents— the Electoral Commission (EC) and registered voter John Lubowa Kilimiro— had not filed their responses. As a result, Justice Kinobe issued strict timelines, directing all parties to submit their responses between December 17 and December 19.
“If you comply with the timelines given, the judgment will be delivered on Monday via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System,” Justice Kinobe stated.
Last week, Walukagga filed a petition challenging his disqualification by the Electoral Commission (EC) from contesting in the parliamentary race. Led by Kawempe North Member of Parliament Luwimbazi Nalukoola, Walukagga’s legal team argues that he meets the necessary academic qualifications and that the EC acted unlawfully in rejecting his nomination.
Walukagga expressed concern about the delay in the Electoral Commission’s decision, saying, “It is deeply regrettable that the Electoral Commission issued a decision on November 25, 2025, but only delivered it on December 9, fully aware that time is of the essence in this matter.”
He remains confident that the court will rule in his favor, alleging bias in the EC’s decision-making.
On December 9, 2025, the Electoral Commission formally disqualified Walukagga, citing his failure to meet the nomination requirements. This decision followed a petition filed on November 4, 2025, by Medard Seggona, who challenged Walukagga’s eligibility.
Seggona argued that the Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate Walukagga used during his nomination on October 23, 2025, had expired, rendering it invalid.
In response, Walukagga’s legal team contended that, since he is currently enrolled in university and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with the same certificate, it should still be valid for nomination purposes.
However, Justice Simon Byabakama ruled that Walukagga’s certificate had indeed expired by the time of his nomination. “Candidate Mathias Walukagga lacked the requisite minimum formal qualifications for the elective office of Member of Parliament, as stipulated under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act,” Justice Byabakama stated.
