By Mulengera Reporters
The Electoral Commission (EC) has swiftly reacted to the High Court’s ruling, which upheld the disqualification of Matthias Walukagga from the Busiro East parliamentary race.
In a statement following the court’s decision, the Commission reaffirmed its position that Walukagga had failed to meet the academic qualifications required for candidacy, a ruling fully supported by the court.
Paul Bukenya, the EC Deputy Spokesperson, addressed the court’s outcome, emphasizing that the Commission’s original decision to set aside Walukagga’s nomination had been in line with Uganda’s electoral laws.
He explained that the Electoral Commission had consistently communicated the reasons for disqualifying Walukagga and welcomed the court’s decision, which affirmed that the candidate did not meet the required qualifications. According to Bukenya, this ruling effectively put the matter to rest.
Bukenya further clarified that the Commission had based its decision on Walukagga’s submission of an expired Mature Age/Aptitude Test Certificate, which was a key part of his nomination papers.
He noted that the Commission had raised concerns over the certificate’s validity, pointing out that it had expired by the time of Walukagga’s nomination.
The High Court’s ruling had confirmed the Commission’s position on this issue.
The High Court’s judgment, handed down on December 9, 2025, dismissed Walukagga’s petition and agreed with the Electoral Commission that his expired certificate could not be used to validate his nomination.
Justice Simon Byabakama, who led the ruling, stated that Walukagga’s candidacy was invalid because the certificate did not meet the criteria stipulated in the Parliamentary Elections Act. Although Walukagga’s legal team had argued that his enrollment in university should have sufficed to validate the certificate, the court disagreed and stressed the need for strict compliance with academic qualifications at the time of nomination.
Bukenya also pointed out that the court had confirmed that the Electoral Commission acted within its mandate to ensure that only candidates who meet the constitutional requirements could contest for parliamentary seats.
He further emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that all candidates adhered to the law and met the necessary standards.
While the EC stood by its decision, Walukagga expressed frustration over the delay in the Commission’s final ruling. His legal team had filed the petition against the disqualification on November 4, 2025, but the Commission did not issue its ruling until November 25, 2025, with the formal notification reaching Walukagga only on December 9.
Walukagga criticized the delay as “deeply regrettable,” especially considering the time-sensitive nature of the electoral process. He argued that the delay undermined the fairness of the system.
He stated that it was unacceptable for the Commission to issue its decision so late, particularly when the timeline for the electoral process was so critical.
The court’s ruling carries significant implications for Uganda’s electoral process, particularly in terms of the verification of candidates’ academic qualifications.
Legal experts believe that the outcome strengthens the standards set by the Electoral Commission and may deter future attempts to bypass the system. The case has also raised concerns about the consistency of electoral processes and the potential for further legal challenges in upcoming elections.
As the campaign for the Busiro East parliamentary seat continues, many are watching closely to see how this legal battle will impact both the candidates and the broader election landscape.
The Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in the electoral process, reiterating that it will continue to uphold the integrity of the election process and the rule of law. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
