Kampala, Uganda – July 30, 2025 – In a significant development within Uganda’s opposition politics, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has officially endorsed Nathan Nandala Mafabi as its presidential candidate for the 2026 general elections.

The decision follows the withdrawal of FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat from the race, a move aimed at fostering party unity and strengthening its position against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The endorsement was formalized during a high-level National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, on July 30, 2025. Party elders, particularly from the Teso and Bugisu regions, played a pivotal role in persuading Amuriat to step aside in favor of Mafabi, citing the need to avoid internal divisions that could weaken the party’s electoral prospects. Amuriat, who carried the FDC flag in the 2021 presidential elections, announced his support for Mafabi, emphasizing the importance of a unified front.

“The FDC is rising once again with a renewed spirit of purpose,” Amuriat declared during the NEC meeting. “After engaging with our grassroots supporters and reflecting on the path forward, I am confident that Nandala Mafabi is the leader who will carry the hopes of millions of Ugandans seeking change.”

Mafabi, the Member of Parliament for Budadiri West and the party’s Secretary General, is a seasoned politician known for his strong advocacy on governance, public accountability, and fiscal transparency. His deep roots in Eastern Uganda, particularly in Bugisu, are expected to bolster FDC’s grassroots mobilization efforts. “I am humbled by this endorsement and call on all opposition actors to unite for the bigger goal of regime change,” Mafabi said, striking a tone of resilience and unity.

The decision comes after months of internal negotiations within the FDC, which has faced challenges from factionalism and a public split with the Katonga faction led by former party leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Political analysts view Mafabi’s endorsement as a strategic move to rejuvenate the party’s base and reclaim its position as a leading opposition force, especially as it competes with the National Unity Platform (NUP) and other opposition parties.

FDC’s party secretary for publicity, John Kikonyogo, confirmed that the endorsement followed extensive consultations with regional coordinators and party stalwarts. “This is a step toward consolidating our campaign machinery and presenting a united front for 2026,” he said.

As Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, Mafabi will face formidable opponents, including President Yoweri Museveni, who has confirmed his bid to extend his nearly four-decade rule, NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), and Alliance for National Transformation’s Mugisha Muntu. Political observers are keenly watching whether Mafabi’s candidacy can unify a fragmented opposition and mount a credible challenge to the NRM’s dominance.

The FDC is now expected to launch nationwide mobilization drives under Mafabi’s leadership, focusing on key constituencies to rebuild support and address voter concerns about governance and economic challenges. With the political landscape heating up, Mafabi’s ability to galvanize support and navigate Uganda’s complex political terrain will be critical to FDC’s aspirations in 2026.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan