By The High Court has set December 22 to deliver its ruling on a petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer for the Busiro East parliamentary seat, Mathias Walukagga, challenging his disqualification by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Walukagga is contesting the EC’s decision to reject his nomination on academic grounds, arguing that the Commission acted without jurisdiction by reassessing academic documents that had already been verified and cleared by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Court on Wednesday directed the EC and the second respondent to file their replies and defences within one day, with the petitioner expected to file a rejoinder and submissions the following day. Submissions from the respondents are scheduled for Friday, ahead of the ruling on Monday.
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“We came for the hearing of the petition challenging the decision of the Electoral Commission, and it is good that all the respondents appeared,” Walukagga’s lawyer told court, adding that the timelines set by court mean all pleadings and submissions will be completed within five days.
The defence team welcomed the court’s expedited handling of the matter, saying the law on academic qualifications for Members of Parliament is settled and vests verification authority in NCHE and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), not the Electoral Commission.
“The Electoral Commission is being faulted for taking over roles that are not its mandate,” counsel argued, insisting that once competent bodies have verified academic credentials, the EC cannot reopen or overturn those decisions.
Walukagga, who was present in court, expressed confidence in the outcome, saying he pursued further education later in life to meet the legal requirements to contest for Parliament.
“We are guided by principles of law, and we believe the court will overturn the EC decision,” he said, adding that the petition raises fundamental questions about fairness and access to elective office.
The High Court is expected to determine whether the EC exceeded its powers in disqualifying the NUP candidate and whether the decision should be set aside.
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