“He Is Lying, He Has Not Earned A Degree Yet, He Is Still Studying” Nkumba University Blasts Rwashande’s Earned Degree

Tensions are rising within Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) after a formal petition challenged the academic qualifications of retired Brigadier Emmanuel Rwashande, who is vying for the Lwemiyaga County parliamentary seat in 2026.

The petition, filed by the incumbent MP Theodore Ssekikubo, alleges that Rwashande is still a student at Nkumba University and has not yet completed his degree—making him ineligible under electoral laws.

According to Ssekikubo, Rwashande submitted documents claiming he already holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Nkumba. However, an official letter from the university, dated May 27, 2025, and signed by Dr. Anne Abaho, confirms that Rwashande is still enrolled and is expected to graduate on October 26, 2025—months after the nomination period.

Under Uganda’s Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act, all parliamentary candidates must have at least an A-Level certificate or its equivalent. Ssekikubo argues that in the absence of such qualifications—or a completed degree—Rwashande does not meet the legal threshold.

In his defense, Rwashande submitted a Certificate of Equivalence from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which recognizes his military training. However, Ssekikubo dismissed this as insufficient and possibly misleading, citing inconsistencies. He noted, for instance, that one of the military certificates is dated 1982—before the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) was even established.

Ssekikubo also raised concerns over multiple name variations in Rwashande’s documents, including “EK Rwashande,” “Rwashande Emmanuel,” and “Emmanuel Kyamuzigita Rwashande.” Such inconsistencies, he argues, raise further questions about the authenticity of the submitted records.

Adding to the confusion, Rwashande’s own curriculum vitae shows overlapping educational timelines: he reportedly attended primary school from 1970 to 1977 and secondary school from 1976 to 1979. His CV also indicates that while he completed O’Level studies at Kabwohe Secondary School, he did not obtain any academic certificate from the institution.

“No O’Level, no A’Level—that’s the basic foundation of our education system,” Ssekikubo said, urging the NRM legal team to nullify Rwashande’s nomination.

NRM’s Legal Director, Enoch Barata, confirmed receipt of the petition and assured that Rwashande will be given an opportunity to respond before any final decision is made.

In his rebuttal, Rwashande denied all allegations, accusing Ssekikubo of fabricating documents to tarnish his reputation and sabotage his candidacy.

As the NRM gears up for the 2026 party primaries, the party faces a critical decision: Can someone who is still a university student legally contest for Parliament?

The outcome could not only determine the future of the Lwemiyaga race but also send a broader message about integrity and the value of academic qualifications in Uganda’s political landscape.