By Jumah Kakomo
The High Court in Kampala will on December 22, 2025, deliver its judgment in a high-stakes election petition filed by National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirant Mathias Walukagga, challenging his disqualification from the Busiro East parliamentary race over academic qualifications.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe fixed the judgment date on Tuesday after Walukagga appeared in court alongside his lawyers, Alex Luganda and Elias Nalukoola.
During the hearing, the respondents—the Electoral Commission (EC) and a registered voter, John Lubowa Kilimiro—had not filed their responses, prompting the court to issue strict timelines. Justice Kinobe ordered all parties to file and exchange written submissions between December 17 and December 19, 2025.
The judge directed that, provided the timelines are met, the court will deliver its ruling on Monday via the Electronic Court Case Management Information System.
Walukagga filed the petition last week, arguing that the EC unlawfully nullified his nomination despite having duly cleared him on October 23, 2025, to contest for the Busiro East parliamentary seat in Wakiso District.
The EC, however, cancelled his nomination on November 25, 2025, after Kilimiro petitioned the commission, alleging that Walukagga lacked the minimum academic qualifications required to stand for Parliament.
According to the EC, Walukagga’s Mature Age certificate—issued on June 12, 2023—expired on June 12, 2025, rendering it invalid at the time of his nomination. The court’s impending decision is expected to determine whether Walukagga remains sidelined or reinstated in the closely watched Busiro East race.
