Singer Sir Mathias Walukagga has been disqualified from contesting the Busiro East parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced today.

Walukagga, who had been nominated to run under the National Unity Platform (NUP) as the party’s preferred candidate to challenge the incumbent Medard Segona, will no longer appear on the ballot in the Busiro East constituency.

The E said the decision follows a formal assessment of eligibility requirements for Members of Parliament under the relevant statutes. In its memo to the parties and stakeholders, the commission indicated that Walukagga’s nomination was invalid under the stipulated qualification standards, prompting the denotation from the race.

According to a statement signed by EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama,  Walukagga had presented the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude Test awarded by the Islamic Community in Uganda (ICU) on 12th June, 2023, and the Certificate of equivalence thereof issued by National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) dated 11th June, 2025, for his nomination.

But, after further probing, the statement says, “the Certificate of Mature Age/Aptitude test Walukagga Mathias presented for nomination had, by 23rd of October, 2025, clearly expired.”

“Accordingly, Candidate Walukagga Mathias lacks the requisite minimum formal qualifications for the elective office of Member of Parliament as stipulated under Section 4(b) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177. Candidate Walukagga Mathias therefore stands denominated.”

This decision leaves Independent Medard Sseggona, who publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the NUP Primaries process as the favorite for the position.