Pastor Peter Ssematimba, the CEO of Super fm and MP-elect of Busiro south was dragged to court by Democratic Party’s Stephen Ssekigozi over alleged improper academic documents last month.
Soon after, High court registrar Alex Ajiji ordered Ssematimba, the Electoral Commission and the Uganda National Council of Education (NCHIE) to file their defense for the official hearing.
Ssekigozi alleges that Pastor Ssematimba, belonging to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), only holds a certificate issued by the East African Examinations Council in 1978, which cannot be equated to the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Examinations, which is the minimum requirement for nomination in parliamentary elections according Electoral Commission.
Ssekigozi also accuses the Electoral Commission of conniving with Ssematimba to flout several sections of the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The National Council for Higher Education’s Executive Director, John Asibo however says that Mr Ssematimba has an Ordinary Level certificate from Kings College Buddo, a pre-medicine transcript from Asuza Pacific University and a diploma in electrical and computer technology from Pacific Coast Technical Institute, both in the United States of America.
On the basis of these qualifications, the council granted a certificate of Advanced Level equivalent to enable Mr Ssematimba participate in the Busiro South Constituency parliamentary elections.
Mr Asibo, however said the council did not verify the authenticity of Mr Ssematimba’s diploma in Electronic and Computer Technology from Pacific Technical Institute in the United States before relying on it to grant him a certificate of A-Level equivalent last year.
male@ugchristiannews.com
