Nathan Nandala Mafabi Declared FDC Flag Bearer for 2026 Presidential Election

By Hason Mutunzi Bwambale
Kampala, Uganda – Wednesday, July 30, 2025

In a pivotal development on Uganda’s political landscape, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) on Tuesday officially endorsed Rt. Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi as its presidential flag bearer for the 2026 general elections. The declaration was made following a unanimous decision by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) during a closed-door meeting held at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala.

Mafabi, 58, the long-serving Member of Parliament for Budadiri West in Sironko District and FDC’s Secretary General, now becomes the party’s standard-bearer in its renewed attempt to capture the presidency after two decades in opposition politics.

A Moment of Transition

This endorsement marks the end of an era and the beginning of another within Uganda’s most seasoned opposition party. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the outgoing party president and former presidential candidate in 2021, formally stepped aside and threw his support behind Mafabi, a move widely interpreted as a gesture of unity and strategic continuity.

“After extensive consultation and deep reflection, I have decided not to seek the party’s presidential flag for 2026,” Amuriat said during the NEC meeting. “I wholeheartedly back my brother and comrade Nandala Mafabi. He has the tenacity, experience, and patriotism required to lead this nation.”

The announcement was met with loud applause from NEC members and representatives of the party’s grassroots structures, many of whom praised the decision as timely and visionary.

Mafabi Accepts the Mantle

In his acceptance speech, delivered in both English and Lumasaba, Mafabi struck a tone of humility and urgency, calling for national renewal, clean governance, and an economy centered on equity and opportunity.

“I accept this nomination with deep gratitude and a profound sense of duty,” Mafabi said. “Uganda deserves a leadership that respects its citizens, protects public resources, and believes in inclusive development. The time has come.”

The legislator, who first publicly declared his intention to run on June 4 during a live radio interview on Elgon FM in Mbale City, reiterated his commitment to fight corruption, restore institutional integrity, and create jobs for the country’s rapidly growing youth population.

A Campaign Rooted in Service

Mafabi’s political roots run deep. He entered Parliament in 2001 and rose to prominence through his work as chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where he earned a reputation for fiscal discipline and relentless pursuit of accountability. Trained as both an accountant and a lawyer, his dual professional background is seen by supporters as key to his appeal in a country grappling with economic instability and public sector mismanagement.

“I am not new to leadership,” he said. “I have stood firm in Parliament, I have fought for justice and proper use of public funds. Now I ask Ugandans to trust me with their vote, so we can begin the real work of fixing our country.”

Party Unity and Strategy

The FDC’s internal process leading to the endorsement was notably free of the bitter divisions that plagued its previous presidential transitions. Senior party officials say Amuriat and Mafabi had engaged in private consultations for months to avoid factionalism.

With the endorsement now sealed, the party is expected to convene a national delegates’ conference in August to officially launch Mafabi’s campaign and unveil its 2026 manifesto, which insiders say will focus on job creation, education reform, regional equity, and restoration of term limits.

An Evolving Opposition Landscape

Mafabi’s entry into the presidential race sets the stage for a crowded opposition field that includes National Unity Platform’s Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Alliance for National Transformation’s Gen. Mugisha Muntu, and Democratic Party’s Norbert Mao.

Despite the crowded field, analysts believe Mafabi offers a distinct proposition: a blend of technocratic skill, party loyalty, and parliamentary experience.

“He speaks the language of the people, but he also understands the complexities of governance,” said Dr. Sarah Mwesige, a political science lecturer at Makerere University. “If FDC remains united and can mobilize its base, Mafabi could be a formidable candidate.”

Looking Ahead

For now, all eyes are on how the Mafabi campaign will unfold in the months leading up to the official nomination period. But the message from Najjanankumbi is clear: FDC is regrouping, refocusing, and rallying behind a candidate it believes can finally turn the tide in its favor.

“This is not just about winning an election,” Mafabi said as he concluded his remarks. “It is about saving our country. It is about building a Uganda where everyone, not just the connected few, has a future.”

Hason Mutunzi Bwambale is a political senior Reporter with The New Light Paper , covering governance, NRM and opposition politics, and public accountability in Uganda.