The second day of presidential nominations for the 2026 General Elections opened with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presenting its flag bearer, Nandala Mafabi James Nathan. The Budadiri West legislator and party leader was duly nominated after fulfilling all requirements under the Presidential Elections Act, Cap 179.
Speaking shortly after receiving his nomination, Mafabi projected himself as a servant leader committed to restoring hope for Ugandans through economic revival.
“For all of you who have seen me during this period, believe and know that I am a worker, a servant you can rely on. I do not come with hatred or anger; I come to rebuild the bridges that have been broken,” he told supporters.
Mafabi criticized the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government for presiding over what he termed “alarming levels of poverty,” noting that only 26 percent of Ugandans are sustaining the rest of the population. He described the 2026 polls as a critical opportunity to change the country’s economic direction.
Assuring the youth of his commitment to addressing unemployment, Mafabi pledged that every graduate under his government would receive UGX 1 million as startup capital. “The reason we want to fix the economy is because, in 1986, our current President said the problem was security, and that has since been fixed. What remains is insecurity in our homes and in our pockets,” he said.
The FDC candidate unveiled his campaign slogan—Fixing the Economy, Money in Our Pockets—promising policies centered on job creation, strengthening cooperative societies, and removing the influence of money from politics. “We often end up voting for money instead of leaders. I come with experience in the cooperative world, and I will ensure that societies function effectively to enable Ugandans to earn a decent living,” he added.
Mafabi also emphasized unity and reconciliation as central to his vision. “You say you want to protect our gains. You want to protect gains of poverty, gains of people suffering, or what? I am in this election to serve the people of Uganda and ensure you have better lives than you do now.”
Following his nomination, the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, together with other commissioners, handed over an official vehicle and security detail to the FDC candidate in line with election procedures.
