The final day of presidential nominations for Uganda’s 2026 General Election opened with a tense atmosphere at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Kampala, as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer, Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, was duly nominated amidst heavy police and military presence.
Security was particularly heightened at Lweza Junction, the main entrance leading to the EC grounds.
Dozens of police patrol trucks, military police vehicles, and anti-riot officers were strategically deployed to control access and maintain order.
By dawn, roadblocks had been mounted on several connecting routes, and traffic flow toward the nomination center was strictly regulated.
At 10:28 a.m., EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama confirmed Mafabi’s successful nomination after his documents were scrutinized and verified.
This included academic qualifications, endorsement signatures from across the country, and payment of the required fees.
With this clearance, Mafabi officially became the fourth presidential candidate in the 2026 race.
Justice Byabakama emphasized that the EC remained committed to ensuring that all aspirants were given a fair and lawful process.
“The Electoral Commission’s role is to ensure that every qualified candidate who meets the requirements is given an opportunity to appear on the ballot. Today, Hon. Nandala Mafabi has met all the legal provisions and is hereby duly nominated,” he declared.
Moments after his nomination, Mafabi addressed journalists and his supporters, promising a campaign focused on people’s needs rather than political drama.
He reiterated FDC’s long-standing call for reforms in health, education, and job creation.
“We are entering this election not as antagonists, but as servants of the people,” Mafabi said.
“Ugandans deserve functioning hospitals, quality education, and meaningful livelihoods. We cannot continue in a system where only those close to the regime can afford proper healthcare abroad, while the ordinary citizen suffers.”
He also urged citizens to turn up in large numbers on polling day.
“You can only complain about vote rigging if you have voted. I call upon every Ugandan to go out, vote, and protect their voice,” Mafabi added.
While the nomination process went on smoothly, the unprecedented deployment of armed forces raised questions among the public and political observers.
Opposition leaders criticized the move, arguing that it created an atmosphere of intimidation.
Several FDC supporters who attempted to access the venue were stopped at Lweza Junction and told to watch the proceedings from afar.
Police officers explained that the measures were intended to prevent congestion and potential clashes between rival camps, given that other major opposition leaders were also scheduled for nomination later in the day.
The EC announced that the day’s schedule remained tight, with two other high-profile candidates expected to present themselves: National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) leader, Gen. Mugisha Muntu.
Both aspirants had confirmed readiness, and their supporters were already gathering in various locations around Kampala despite security restrictions.
Byabakama noted that with the conclusion of today’s nominations, the EC would officially declare the final list of candidates for the 2026 General Election.
Mafabi’s successful nomination marks a significant step for FDC, a party that has struggled with internal divisions in recent years.
His candidacy is seen as an attempt to rejuvenate the party’s image and reassert its position as a major player in Uganda’s opposition politics.
With Museveni, Robert Kasibante, Elton Joseph Mabirizi, and now Mafabi confirmed, Uganda is set for one of the most competitive presidential races in recent memory.
The entrance of Bobi Wine and Muntu later today is expected to intensify the contest further, setting the stage for a high-stakes election in 2026.
Photo Credit: Monitor X Platform
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