KAMPALA, Uganda — The High Court in Kampala is scheduled to deliver its judgment on Dec. 22 in an election petition filed by Mathias Walukagga, the National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirant contesting his disqualification from the Busiro East parliamentary race over academic qualifications.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe set the date Tuesday after Walukagga appeared with his lawyers, Alex Luganda and Elias Nalukoola, for the hearing.
The respondents, the Electoral Commission (EC) and registered voter John Lubowa Kilimiro, had not filed their responses by the time the matter came up. Justice Kinobe consequently issued strict timelines, directing all parties to file their submissions between Dec. 17 and Dec. 19.
“If you comply with the timelines given, the judgment will be delivered on Monday through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System,” Kinobe ruled.
Walukaga moved to court last week, challenging the EC’s decision to nullify his nomination.1 He contends he was successfully nominated on Oct. 23, 2025, to contest the Busiro East seat in Wakiso District.
The EC overturned his nomination on Nov. 25, 2025, following a complaint from Kilimiro, who argued Walukagga lacked the minimum academic qualifications required for a Member of Parliament.
The Commission ruled that Walukagga’s Mature Age certificate, issued on June 12, 2023, had an expiry date of June 12, 2025, meaning it had lapsed by the Oct. 23 nomination date.
Walukagga disputes the ruling, arguing that the certificate, issued by the Islamic University in Uganda and equated to Advanced Level standard by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), remains valid. He asserts the certificate only expires if not used to enroll for further studies. He maintains he enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at St. Lawrence University in August 2023, within the validity period.
Describing the EC’s decision as “unjust, unfair and illegal,” Walukagga is asking the High Court to quash the ruling and reinstate his nomination.
The court’s decision, expected just weeks before the Jan. 15, 2026, polling day, is expected to have significant implications for the Busiro East parliamentary race.
