FDC to field candidates in Kikuube, Kalangala byelections

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Forum for Democratic (FDC) says it is set to field candidates in the upcoming byelections in the districts of Kikuube and Kalangala ahead of internal consultations to field joint candidates with other opposition political parties.

This follows the Electoral Commission (EC) releasing the roadmap to fill the vacancy left by deceased Kikuube district chairperson Peter Banura on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket and the fallen Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament Hellen Nakimuli on the National Unity Platform ticket.

Addressing the media at Najjanankumbi in Kampala on May 4, 2026, party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat confirmed that the FDC commenced its internal process of candidate identification for this byelection.

“Once this process is concluded, FDC will field candidates to represent the interests of the people of Kikuube and Kalangala,” Amuriat said.

He added that they have urged all interested FDC members and supporters within Kikuube district to formally express their interest in contesting for this seat, and 'it is from those the party shall identify and present as its flag bearers'.

“Beyond Kikuube and Kalangala, we are equally preparing ourselves for the LC1 elections that are expected to take place soon,” Amuriat said.

The byelections are a crucial test for FDC's organisational strength and popularity, particularly following the party's dismal performance in the 2026 General Election, where Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the FDC presidential candidate, secured 1.88% of the vote.

Banura died after being knocked by a speeding taxi in Butiamba cell, Kikuube town council, on the Hoima-Fort Portal road, while Nakimuli died on April 19, 2026, following a surgery.

Prioritise minimum wage

Amuriat appealed to the Government to prioritise adjusting the minimum wage to reflect the current economic realities of workers. The current minimum wage in Uganda is shillings 6,000 per month, a rate he said was set in 1984, which is widely considered inadequate given the rising cost of living.

He insisted that the exploitation of workers, particularly in the informal sector, where many earn very low wages as bodaboda riders, factory workers, market vendors, nurses, teachers, journalists, and casual labourers in homes.

“Countries which have lifted their people out of poverty did so not by keeping workers poor to attract investors but by investing in skills, infrastructure and the productive capacity of their people,” Amuriat said.

A minimum wage is the lowest payment that employers can legally pay their workers. It is also known as the “price base” below which an employee may not accept to sell his or her labour.

In 2019, legislators tried to establish a minimum wage of shillings 136,000 after the Minimum Wage Bill, 2015, was passed by Parliament with the aim of creating a mechanism for determining the minimum wage to prevent employee exploitation.

According to former ambassador Edith Bafakulera Ssempala, most workers in Uganda are not protected by powerful trade unions, resulting in the government being unable to base the minimum wage solely on collective bargaining.

“In neighbouring countries like Kenya, there are minimal consolidated wages by region and occupation. They simplify it by setting a minimum wage per hour, a daily minimum wage, and a monthly price floor,” she said.

This should be introduced in Uganda to guard against exploitation of the youth and women who dedicate their lives to work for improved living standards, she advised.

Uganda has no effective minimum wage, despite past legislative efforts like the minimum wage bill, 2015, passed by the Parliament in 2019 but rejected by the President, who cited existing gaps in the law.