Presidential aspirant Nandala dismisses 'protest vote' call

WEST NILE - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) 2026 General Election presidential flag-bearer James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has dismissed calls by some Opposition groups for Ugandans to cast a protest vote in the forthcoming January 15, 2026, saying his party is focused on a genuine victory through the ballot.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Vision while campaigning in West Nile region, Nandala said the idea of a protest vote confuses voters and weakens the struggle for real change.

“What’s a protest vote?” Nandala asked. “There’s only one vote, the ballot where a voter chooses their leader. For me, the vote is the key so that we take power and change this country. We are not here to protest, that’s if it's what they mean; we are here to win. But also, they are not clear on explaining what it means, how do you protest in what you agreed to participate in and abide by the terms and conditions of the Electoral Commission (EC)?” 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Vision while campaigning in West Nile region, Nandala said the idea of a protest vote confuses voters and weakens the struggle for real change. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

He argued that the idea of voting merely to express dissatisfaction with the ruling establishment is misplaced, insisting that FDC’s mission is to win elections and implement policies that transform the lives of ordinary Ugandans as aligned in the party’s manifesto.

“What brings us here is our manifesto, not protests; we can’t rally our people to engage in symbolic gestures. Let people vote in big numbers; they can’t cheat if the numbers are overwhelming. Then peacefully guard your vote,” he continued.

Nandala also expressed confidence in EC to deliver the will of the people, noting that his party would not have participated if it didn’t believe in the process.

“We came into this election with 100% trust that EC will deliver the will of Ugandans, all we ask our people to do is to vote for us in big numbers. Small numbers can easily be stolen, but big numbers cannot be overturned. We would not be in this election if we didn’t trust the EC.” Nandala rallied his supporters.

Nandala, who by the time of the interview (November 11) had covered 78 districts in 44 days, said the FDC campaign has been warmly received across the country, with growing crowds eager for change.

The reality on the ground

However, he also called on the EC to get more involved in the realities of the campaign trail.

“The EC must see what we go through. They are sitting in their offices, but they don’t know what’s happening on the ground. Sometimes we wait for hours to begin rallies because there are no proper logistics, like today, we had no ferry. How do you call that a fair process?”

To improve transparency, he proposed that each presidential candidate be assigned a senior EC official to witness firsthand the challenges faced in reaching voters.
“Let them see the roads, the delays, the conditions of real campaigning; only then can they talk about fairness,” he said.

He added that on election day, FDC would tally its own results independently as an option to account for transparency and fairness.

“The EC should announce the right person; should they make a mistake, they will be held liable. Our interest is to ensure the election is free, fair, and sound.” Nandala said firmly.

Before making his pledges, FDC flag-bearer for the Obongi County MP seat, Kaps Hassan Fungaroo, also FDC deputy president for northern Uganda, said Obongi doesn’t have electricity, yet the neighbouring district has.

“We thank him (Nandala) for thinking about West Nile. We hope his government can address the high levels of poverty in West Nile, the poor roads, health and education systems. We have one primary and secondary school serving many sub-counties. We want him to implement his manifesto because it clearly addresses our problems as a region,” Fungaroo told New Vision.