NRM Woman MP for Ssembabule District, Florence Nambaziira, has told the Masaka High Court that she never sat the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) or the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), revealing that her academic background instead includes a hairdressing certificate obtained from Mengo Youth Vocational Centre through the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT).
The revelation emerged during court proceedings in an election petition challenging Nambaziira’s eligibility to serve in Parliament following the January 2026 parliamentary elections.
The petition was filed by Mary Begumisa, who defeated Nambaziira in the polls after securing 61,638 votes. Begumisa is challenging the academic qualifications presented by the legislator, raising questions about whether her vocational training meets the legal requirements for a Member of Parliament.
During the hearing, Nambaziira reportedly told court that she had never sat the national primary and ordinary-level examinations, but had instead pursued vocational training in hairdressing at Mengo Youth Vocational Centre under the DIT.
The disclosure has placed the spotlight on the academic equivalence certificate issued to Nambaziira and the process through which her vocational qualification was assessed as meeting the required educational standards for parliamentary office.
Following the revelation, Justice Christine Akello directed the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to appear before court within two days and explain the academic equivalence certificate issued to the legislator.
The directive places the higher education regulator at the centre of the dispute, with the court seeking clarification on how Nambaziira’s vocational qualification was evaluated and whether it satisfies the applicable academic requirements for parliamentary eligibility.
The case is expected to examine the distinction between vocational qualifications and the formal academic credentials required for elected leaders. Although vocational training provides practical skills in specialised fields, the central question before court is whether the qualification presented by Nambaziira meets the specific legal standards governing eligibility to serve as a Member of Parliament.
Begumisa’s petition could have significant implications for the Ssembabule parliamentary contest, depending on the court’s findings regarding Nambaziira’s qualifications and the validity of the documents submitted in support of her eligibility.
The proceedings are also likely to draw attention to the role of institutions responsible for evaluating academic qualifications, particularly where vocational certificates are presented as equivalent to other educational credentials.
With Justice Akello ordering NCHE to explain the certificate within two days, attention now turns to the regulator’s response and the evidence that will be presented before court.
