Disqualified Walukagga goes to court — but what are his chances of embarrassing the Electoral Commission?

National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for Busiro East, Mathias Walukagga, has petitioned the High Court challenging his disqualification from the 2026 parliamentary race by the Electoral Commission (EC), arguing that the decision was unlawful and outside the Commission’s mandate.

Through his legal team, led by Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, Walukagga on Friday asked the court to overturn the EC ruling issued earlier this week, insisting that he possesses the required academic qualifications for nomination.

Nalukoola told journalists that the EC acted “without jurisdiction” when it rejected Walukagga’s academic papers, which he says had already been verified and approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

“The EC has no powers to overturn the National Council for Higher Education’s findings. Its mandate is election management, not determining who went to school or not,” Nalukoola stated.

Walukagga said he remains confident that the courts will deliver justice.

“It is deeply regrettable that the Electoral Commission issued a decision dated November 25, 2025, but only delivered it on December 9, 2025, fully aware that this is a matter in which time is of the essence,” he noted.

The EC, chaired by Justice Simon Byabakama, disqualified Walukagga on Tuesday following a November 4 petition filed by incumbent MP and former NUP member Medard Sseggona. After investigations, the Commission concluded that the Mature Age Entry Certificate Walukagga submitted had expired as of October 23, 2025.

In the decision, Byabakama said Walukagga did not meet the minimum academic qualifications required for nomination under Section 4(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, and therefore “stands denominated.”

Walukagga now awaits the High Court’s determination on whether the EC acted within its powers.