KAMPALA, Uganda—Nathan Nandala Mafabi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was officially nominated Tuesday to contest in the 2026 presidential elections.
Electoral Commission Chairman Simon Byabakama declared Mafabi a duly nominated candidate. He joins incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, Robert Kasibante of the Peasants Party and Elton Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party in the race. Byabakama also announced that Gen. Mugisha Muntu had been cleared for nomination.
Mafabi arrived for his nomination with his wife, Flora Mafabi, a public statement that contrasted with the two other opposition candidates who had appeared alone a day earlier. His demeanor was described as unusually subdued, a change from his previous commanding presence as a legislator.
In his nomination acceptance speech, Mafabi pledged major agricultural reforms, promising to allocate at least 10% of the national budget to the sector, construct storage facilities and guarantee markets for farmers’ produce. He also vowed that every university graduate would receive a 1 million-shilling startup package. He positioned himself as a unifying candidate, urging Ugandans to embrace change after nearly 40 years under President Museveni.
Mafabi said his campaign would be issue-based and non-confrontational. He also criticized Uganda’s healthcare system, saying it served only the well-connected, and vowed to improve hospitals across the country if elected.
Meanwhile, security was tight in Kampala ahead of a post-nomination rally for National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu. Heavily armed military police and regular police units were seen patrolling the streets of Nateete and Busega.
