Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the newly declared presidential flagbearer for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), faces an uphill battle to unseat President Yoweri Museveni in the 2026 general elections.
Mafabi’s long tenure as the FDC’s Secretary General, marked by the party’s inability to wrest power from Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM), raises questions about his prospects in challenging the 39-year incumbent.
On Wednesday, FDC Electoral Commission Chairperson Toterebuka Bamwenda announced Mafabi as the party’s flagbearer at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, following the withdrawal of his sole competitor, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, late Tuesday night.
“Following Amuriat’s withdrawal at 11 pm, I declare Nathan Nandala Mafabi the FDC’s flagbearer for the 2026 general elections, in accordance with the party’s constitution,” Bamwenda stated.Mafabi, also the Member of Parliament for Budadiri West in Sironko district, expressed gratitude to the party’s leadership and members for their trust.
“I thank the Electoral Commission, the Secretary General, and all members for entrusting me with the party flag. Our goal is to ensure all Ugandans benefit from our country’s vast resources,” he said.
Mafabi promised improvements in agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, with details to be outlined in the FDC’s manifesto.
Sources within the FDC revealed that Amuriat’s decision to step down followed a meeting with elders from the Teso and Bugisu sub-regions, who urged him to back Mafabi to avoid deepening internal party divisions.
The move highlights ongoing factionalism within the FDC, which has struggled to maintain unity in recent years.Despite Mafabi’s prominence, his long stint as FDC Secretary General has not translated into electoral success against Museveni, who has ruled since 1986.
The FDC, under leaders like Dr. Kizza Besigye and Amuriat, has mounted strong campaigns but consistently fallen short, with the NRM leveraging state resources, patronage, and control over electoral processes.
In the 2021 elections, the FDC lost ground to the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Bobi Wine, which captured significant urban and youth support.Analysts argue that Mafabi’s association with the FDC’s past failures could hinder his campaign.
“As Secretary General, Mafabi has been a key figure, but the party has not broken the NRM’s grip on power,” said political commentator Sarah Namboozo.
“He’ll need a fresh strategy to counter Museveni’s machinery and appeal beyond the FDC’s traditional base.”The broader opposition landscape adds further complexity.
With potential candidates like Bobi Wine and Besigye, Mafabi faces competition for opposition voters, particularly among the youth. His ability to forge coalitions and expand the FDC’s reach into rural NRM strongholds will be critical but remains unproven.
As Mafabi prepares to lead the FDC into the 2026 elections, his promises of servant leadership and equitable development will be tested against Museveni’s entrenched rule and a fragmented opposition. Whether he can overcome these challenges and rewrite the FDC’s electoral history remains to be seen.