Busiro East Member of Parliament, Medard Ssegona, has called on musician-turned-politician Mathias Walukagga to be upfront about his academic qualifications after the latter’s disqualification from the parliamentary race. Ssegona stressed that integrity and transparency are non-negotiable qualities for anyone seeking public office.
Ssegona argued that political parties provide their candidates with flags for a clear purpose—to contest elections. However, he emphasized that holding a party flag is meaningless if a candidate cannot meet the legal requirements, including valid academic credentials.
“A party gives you a flag to run, but you also need to be a person of integrity. If you lack the necessary qualifications, it is better to be honest and admit it,” Ssegona said, highlighting the importance of credibility in leadership.
Walukagga, who had hoped to challenge Ssegona for the Busiro East seat under the National Unity Platform (NUP) banner, was disqualified by the Electoral Commission after questions arose regarding the validity of his academic documents.
The Electoral Commission ruled that Walukagga’s papers had expired at the time he submitted them for nomination, making him ineligible to contest. This decision cast a shadow over his political ambitions and sparked widespread discussion about the vetting of candidates.
Seeking a reversal, Walukagga took his case to the High Court, hoping to overturn the EC’s decision. However, the court upheld the Commission’s ruling, effectively ending his bid for the parliamentary seat.
After the court’s decision, Walukagga shifted gears and announced his support for Emmanuel Magoola, endorsing him as his preferred candidate for Busiro East. The move is expected to influence voter alignment within the constituency.
Ssegona’s insistence on honesty and proper qualifications reflects a broader call for accountability in Uganda’s political arena. His remarks serve as a reminder that winning a party nomination is not enough; public office requires both legality and moral integrity.
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