The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has elected Budadiri West lawmaker Nathan Nandala Mafabi as its presidential flag bearer for the 2026 elections. 

Mafabi was unveiled at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, on Wednesday.

Following his declaration, Amuriat, who is the incumbent party president and flag bearer in the 2021 elections, stepped down in favor of Mafabi. The two, Amuriat said, were subjected to a voting process that picked Mafabi to hold the party flag. Amuriat publicly conceded and endorsed Mafabi to steer the party through next year’s presidential elections. Mafabi and Amuriat are both accused by the newly formed political party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), of sharing a political bed with President Museveni and his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). 

The PFF, which was recently formed by former seniors and other members of the FDC, accused Amuriat and Mafabi of secretly working for Museveni while disguising themselves as opposition forces intending to end his 40-year rule.

PFF alleged that Amuriat’s presidential campaigns in the 2021 general elections were funded by Museveni. On Wednesday, Amuriat felt it necessary to address the matter, which made headlines recently and sent shockwaves in the ears of many Ugandans. 

“Nathan and I were co-accused falsely of hobnobbing with the dictatorship. Some people who were our dictators, who did not mean well for the FDC, even suggested a week after, the FDC would be handed to the NRM. But here we are, standing strong, side by side, shoulder by shoulder, keeping the spirit of the FDC very much alive,” Amuriat said.

The contest for the party flag with Mafabi, Amuriat said, was “real” and not just staged for the public.

Amuriat said that when FDC founding president, Dr. Kizza Besigye (who is currently in jail), declined to hold the party flag in the 2021 elections, the party’s preferred candidate to replace Besigye was Mafabi. 

But he (Mafabi) was very honest with us when he said he wasn’t ready at the time. I said POA (Patrick Amuriat Oboi) is ever ready. I will jump in there, and we will see what kind of results will be generated out of this. I am a risk taker. I don’t fear taking risks, and that was probably one of the greatest risks of my life.”

His campaigns, he said, proved that the FDC is very serious about removing Museveni from power.

He said that FDC strongmen abandoned him on the campaign trail and he was only being supported by Mafabi.

“I want to thank you, Right Honorable Nandala Mafabi, for being a worthwhile partner who has walked with me throughout our struggles, and I am certain that this is not about to end.”

Speaking after his declaration, Mafabi pledged to serve Uganda as “a servant,” adding that the FDC government will be people-centered.

By ChimpReports