The Electoral Commission has disqualified National Unity Platform’s Mathias Walukaga from the Busiro East MP race, ruling that his Mature Age Certificate had expired and was therefore invalid for nomination
According to the EC chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the commission launched an investigation into singer Walukaga following a petition to the commission on 4th November from a complainant regarding Walukaga’s formal qualifications.
“The Petitioner contended that, at the time the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test was used for nomination by Walukaga Mathias, on the 23rd of October, 2025, it had expired, thus rendering it invalid,” he said.
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Justice Byabakama noted that even though Walukaga, through his lawyers, asserted that he was admitted to university and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public administration on the basis of the said certificate, making it valid, the commission held a number of meetings and a petition hearing after to decide on the matter.
“At the hearing of the Petition, the Respondent tendered a letter from the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) dated 11th November, 2025, certifying that Walukaga Mathias sat for the Mature Age Aptitude Test held on 25th February, 2023, and obtained a score of 54%.” Byabakama stated.
He added, “The same letter states that the certificate expires after two (2) years if the candidate has not used it to enroll for further studies; otherwise, the certificate remains valid. However, the said Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude has a life span of 2 years, which period is specifically stated on the document.”
Justice Byabakama noted that Paragraph 9(b) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions provides that a certificate awarded to a person who sat and passed the mature age entry examinations with at least 50% shall be valid for two years from the date of award.
He further said that the commission observed that a Certificate of NCHE is not a qualification by itself, and it cannot give life to an invalid or expired qualification.
Byabakama noted that following the investigation, the commission found that the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test Walukaga Mathias presented for nomination had, by the 23rd of October, 2025, expired.
Accordingly, Candidate Walukaga Mathias 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, Cap. 177. Candidate Walukaga Mathias, therefore, stands denominated,” Justice Byabakama ordered.
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