Uganda’s second main opposition party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has officially confirmed its two contenders for the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2026 general elections.
They are the current party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi.
With nominations now closed, Amuriat and Mafabi will begin nationwide campaigns to rally support from party delegates.
The final decision will be made during the National Delegates Conference scheduled for July 31, 2025.
The winner will take on President Yoweri Museveni, the incumbent from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who has held power since 1986.
Amuriat emerged the party’s presidential flag bearer for the party after the party failed to convince its former presidential candidate Col Dr. Kizza Besigye to run in the 2021 presidential poll.
He received 337,589 (3.26) behind Yoweri Museveni 6,042,898 (58.38%) the winner of the election.
Out of six initial aspirants, only Amuriat and Mafabi successfully completed the nomination process. Usaama Ssemogerere, Gerald Malinga, and Arinest Bumba failed to return their nomination documents, while Dan Matsiko was disqualified due to incomplete paperwork—a move that sparked claims of procedural irregularities.
Despite being rivals in the race, both Amuriat and Mafabi struck a tone of unity and mutual respect.
Speaking after his nomination at the party’s Najjanankumbi headquarters, Amuriat called for a “credible, peaceful, and respectful” campaign, even proposing joint appearances with his opponent to promote party cohesion.
“We have struggled side by side for over 30 years. This contest will not break that bond,” Amuriat said.
Mafabi used his platform to criticize systemic inequality and regional imbalance, citing recent government appointments disproportionately favoring one region. He pledged technocratic leadership and inclusive governance.
“This country needs economic transformation grounded in fairness and expertise. I have both,” Mafabi asserted.
At the same event, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo was named acting party president for the duration of the flag bearer selection process. He urged unity and focus within the party ranks.
“FDC has staggered without falling,” Fungaroo said. “We are now stronger, more stable, and ready to offer the leadership Uganda so desperately needs.”
As the 2026 elections approach, the Amuriat–Mafabi showdown is shaping up to be more than just an internal contest. It represents a critical juncture for Uganda’s opposition—testing its ability to rise above factionalism and present a united front against a long-entrenched regime.
