Nandala dares Amuriat for FDC presidential seat race

KAMPALA - The Electoral Commission of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has nominated Nandala Mafabi and Patrick Amuriat to tussle it out for the party’s presidential flag bearer to contest in the 2026 presidential elections.

Nandala and Amuriat, who are the party’s secretary general and president, respectively, were declared nominated candidates by the chairperson, Boniface Toterebuka, after fulfilling the requirements.

This will be the second time Amuriat will contest in the general presidential elections if given a nod by the party’s delegates conference, having performed dismally in the 2021 elections, gathering 337,589 votes, representing 3.26%.

If given a green light, it will be his first time to contest for the presidency.

He is likely to face off with NRM party chairman President Yoweri Museveni, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the leader of National Unity Party (NUP), whose camps have declared them suitable for the 2026  race. 

The FDC presidential flag bearer candidate, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, displays his certificate after the nominations exercise at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, on May 7, 2025. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

Earlier today (Wednesday ) at the party’s headquarters in Najjannakumbi, Amuriat was nominated by Acom Alobo and seconded by Beatrice Kabasita while his opponent was nominated by Henry Dembe and seconded by Florence Kabugo in a colourful ceremony attended by party loyalists and other guests.

Each aspirant was escorted by their supporters, who carried them shoulder high and holding the party’s key symbol.

The third aspirant Dan Matsiko was bounced back by Electoral Commission officials after failing to produce documents supporting his candidacy and was told to return before the official closing time at 5:00pm.

Matsiko, who came empty-handed to the nomination desk, claimed that his documents, which were in an envelope, were snatched from his agent within FDC premises.

Supporters of FDC presidential flag bearer candidate Patrick Amuriat holding is posters during the nominations exercise at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala on May 7, 2025. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

“My envelope containing documents was snatched from my agent at the party offices. I am going back to the bank to look for a receipt. If you are interested in investigating, look through the CTV cameras placed in the party headquarters,” Matsiko told journalists.

However, the FDC spokesperson John Kikonyongo denied the claims, saying that it was an outright lie.

“At least he should have presented the bank slip,” Kikonyogo said.

Earlier, the FDC chairperson, Jack Sabiti, appealed to the party’s Electoral Commission to avoid bias and treat each candidate equally as they traverse the country, highlighting their capabilities to become Uganda’s president.