GO AND RECTIFY YOUR ACADEMIC PAPERS:

Presidential Hopeful Mabirizi’s Nomination Hangs in Balance as EC Deferred his Academic Certification.

Abraham Lincolns

The Conservative Party Presidential hopeful Elton Joseph Mabirizi’s nomination has been temporarily deferred after the Electoral Commission (EC) observed an outstanding issue in his academic papers.

According to the electoral commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Mr. Mabirizi has to go to the National Council for Higher Education to certify his credentials.

“Upon reviewing his paperwork, we identified a matter that did not clearly comply with the legal requirements and we have advised him to check out with the responsible body and we are willing to work on him either today by 4:00pm or tomorrow,” Justice Byabakama said.

According to Mabirizi, the issue concerns his Master’s degree, which is yet to be officially certified by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

“I have all the necessary documents. The problem lies with the Electoral Commission. when I contested previously, I did not have a Master’s degree; now I do. They say the issue is with the degree certification, which is not yet completed. I will have it verified by the NCHE sooner”Mabirizi emphasised.

Mabirizi, a former 2016 presidential candidate and the current Conservative Party flag bearer, arrived at the EC nomination centre in Lweza, along Entebbe Road, around midday.

He was expected to be the second aspirant nominated today, following President Museveni, whom he aims to challenge in the 2026 polls.

Citing on the day’s process, the EC chairperson said the nomination exercise was proceeding smoothlyvand according to schedule, noting that the first aspirant arrived at 10:00 a.m. with proper documentation.

“So far, on behalf of myself and the Commission, I can report that everything is running smoothly,” Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said.