In a dramatic turn in the Busiro East political contest, the Electoral Commission (EC) has disqualified incumbent MP Mathias Walukagga, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate. They cited failure to meet the minimum formal academic qualifications required for parliamentary candidature.
The announcement, made Tuesday morning at the EC headquarters in Kampala, sent shockwaves through Wakiso’s Busiro East constituency. Walukagga—also a celebrated kadongo kamu musician—was widely considered a frontrunner for re-election.
According to officials, the decision followed a verification exercise that allegedly found inconsistencies and insufficiencies in Walukagga’s submitted academic records.
A senior EC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the decision as “strictly guided by the law and not politics.”
“The Electoral Commission has a constitutional mandate to ensure only qualified candidates appear on the ballot. In this case, the candidate did not meet the minimum formal qualifications,” the official said.
According to officials, the decision followed a verification exercise that allegedly found inconsistencies and insufficiencies in Walukagga’s submitted academic records.
A senior EC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the decision as “strictly guided by the law and not politics.”
“The Electoral Commission has a constitutional mandate to ensure only qualified candidates appear on the ballot. In this case, the candidate.
Walukagga Fires Back
A defiant Walukagga condemned the move as politically motivated and vowed to challenge the ruling.
“This is not about academics—this is a clear political witch-hunt,” Walukagga said while addressing supporters at his home in Wakiso.
“I submitted all requirements as demanded by law. They are only doing this because I am NUP and because Busiro East knows the kind of leadership I give.”
He insisted that his documents had passed previous verifications. He accused the Commission of acting under pressure from “powerful forces” threatened by his popularity.
“They fear the people’s voice. But this fight is not over—I am consulting my lawyers and we shall take every lawful step to overturn this injustice,” he added.
NUP Responds
The National Unity Platform issued a strongly worded statement condemning the EC’s decision. They described it as part of a wider “state-engineered crackdown” on opposition candidates ahead of the polls.
NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi said:
“We have seen this pattern repeatedly—targeted disqualification of our most influential candidates. Walukagga is being punished for standing with the oppressed.”
Ssenyonyi added that the party’s legal team was preparing an appeal.
Mixed Reactions From Busiro East
The disqualification has sparked divided reactions in Busiro East.
A group of Walukagga’s supporters protested outside his offices in Nansana. They chanted slogans against the EC and vowed to continue backing him.
One supporter, Sarah Nakazibwe, said:
“We elected him because he speaks for ordinary people. Disqualifying him does not change our loyalty.”
However, some residents welcomed the decision, arguing that academic standards for legislators should be upheld without compromise.
A voter who identified himself as Kafeero Ssalongo noted:
“If he truly failed to meet the requirement, then the law must apply to everyone equally. This is not personal.”
What Next?
Legal experts say Walukagga has the right to petition the High Court within seven days. This would challenge the EC’s decision.
If the disqualification is upheld, NUP will be forced to field a new candidate on short notice. This development could tilt the constituency’s political dynamics.
For now, Busiro East remains on edge as supporters await the next chapter. It has quickly become one of the most contentious electoral disputes of the season.
