• Walukagga was disqualified by the Electoral Commission over academic requirements.

• He has now endorsed Emmanuel Matovu Magoola for the Busiro East MP seat.

• Magoola faces strong competition from incumbent MP Medard Lubega Sseggona.

The Mayor of Kyengera Town Council and Kadongo Kamasinga singer, Sir Mathias Walukagga, has officially endorsed Emmanuel Matovu Magoola for the Busiro East Member of Parliament seat.

Walukagga was initially the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for the constituency but was later disqualified by the Electoral Commission after failing to meet the required academic qualifications. At the time, he challenged the decision in court, hoping to overturn it, but the case was eventually dismissed.

Following Walukagga’s disqualification, Emmanuel Matovu Magoola stepped forward and declared his intention to contest. He maintained that his candidature had been discussed within the NUP leadership, especially after concerns had earlier been raised about Walukagga’s academic documents when he was first issued with the party card.

Now officially out of the race, Walukagga has rallied behind Magoola. Speaking at a joint press conference, the Tulepuke singer compared the political situation to a football match, expressing confidence in Magoola’s ability to deliver victory.

“Politics is like football,” Walukagga said. “When one player is taken off the pitch, the team adjusts and continues to push for a win. Busiro East is winnable, and I believe Emmanuel Matovu Magoola can carry the NUP flag to victory.”

Magoola, who is running as an independent but openly leaning towards NUP, is expected to face stiff competition from the incumbent MP, Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona, who was denied the NUP ticket. Sseggona is also widely believed to have been behind the petition that resulted in Walukagga’s disqualification.

Meanwhile, NUP continues to experience a wave of disqualifications by the Electoral Commission, affecting several parliamentary candidates over academic and administrative discrepancies, a development that has raised concern within the party as the elections draw closer.