By Emma Bwayo
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has officially declared his intention to contest for the presidency of Uganda in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
The announcement was made during a live radio talk show on Elgon FM in Mbale City on Wednesday night, marking a significant moment in Uganda’s political landscape.
Mafabi, a seasoned politician and Member of Parliament for Budadiri West, confirmed that he will seek the country’s highest office under the FDC ticket.
“It is no longer a secret. Over the years, we have been preparing for this moment. I am now officially declaring my intention to run for President of Uganda in 2026,” said Nandala. “With God, all things are possible. Uganda deserves better leadership.”
Currently, Nandala is traversing the country alongside FDC Party President, Hon. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, as part of the party’s early mobilization and consultative engagements aimed at strengthening their support base ahead of the election.
In his address, Mafabi emphasized the importance of national identity and called on Ugandans to rally behind local leadership.
“Let us learn to embrace our own and uplift our people. I am coming out to protect, promote, and defend our identity,” he added.
Nandala, who was first elected to Parliament at the age of 32, expressed gratitude to the people of Budadiri West and the Bagisu community for supporting his political journey.
He credited their trust as the foundation that propelled him into national and now potentially continental recognition.
His declaration positions him among the early opposition contenders challenging the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the presidency in what is expected to be a highly competitive 2026 race. His decision to quit Budadiri West politics puts NRM’s Peter Magomu Mashate in a better position to deliver the long-held FDC seat to the ruling party come 2026. Nandala had for long held onto this position sparking complaints from Bayobo communities who accused Bawalasi of dominating them for the last 25 years in total disregard of an alleged gentleman’s agreement to hold the MP seat rotationally between both communities. Nandala is a Muwalasi while Mashate is a Muyobo, two dominant sub-tribes in Budadiri West although they both remain Bamasaaba.
