2026 polls: Nandala picks nomination forms for FDC presidential flag bearer

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi has picked nomination forms for the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2026 general elections.

Nandala, who has been Budadiri West MP in Sironko district since 2001, picked the forms on Wednesday (April 30) at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala.

According to the party statement on social media platform X, three others who have expressed interest in the same office are: Dan Matsiko, Usaama Ssemogerere and Gerald Malinga.

The four individuals are expected to return the forms next week.

“The FDC electoral commission has today (Wednesday) officially opened the process for choosing the party’s presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections. This position is open to all eligible members of the party,” states the post.

The party, which maintained sh5m as nomination fees for its presidential flag bearers, also said the process of picking nomination forms will continue until May 2, 2025.

The National Electoral Commission has already announced that the next general election will take place on January 12 and February 9, 2026, but candidates for presidential, parliamentary and local government seats will be nominated from June to October 2025.

Nandala is seeking the FDC ticket at a time when the party is divided into two factions.

Last September, when asked whether he could win the presidential elections amidst the crisis, Nandala told New Vision in September last year: “Wait and see what I will get. I have the home support, and so I have where to begin. From there (eastern region), I will go to the north, west and then central. I am presidential material,” Nandala, 59, said.