The long-standing Budadiri West Member of Parliament, Hon. Nathan James Nandala Mafabi, will contest for the presidency in the 2026 general elections, Soroti West MP Jonathan Ebwalu has confirmed.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Ebwalu announced that Mafabi’s presidential bid is no longer speculation but an official decision backed by a team of seasoned professionals and grassroots mobilisers.
“First of all, I want to authoritatively confirm that it is no longer a rumor,” Ebwalu stated.
“The Honorable Nathan James Nandala Mafabi, Chairman of the Bugisu Cooperative Union and MP for Budadiri for the last 24 years, is running for President of Uganda in 2026.”
Ebwalu praised Mafabi’s diverse experience, highlighting his roles as former Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and consultant with global financial institutions including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Mafabi is a trained lawyer, accountant, and teacher, an all-round professional with a deep passion for good governance. His track record speaks volumes, and he is fit for the job,” said Ebwalu.
The Soroti West legislator also confirmed that Mafabi’s campaign team would be picking up presidential nomination forms from the Electoral Commission offices on Wednesday morning, ahead of the official nomination date set for May 6, 2025.
“This morning, on behalf of Hon. Nandala Mafabi’s team, I will lead the delegation to collect the nomination forms, which we shall return on the day of nomination,” Ebwalu revealed.
He thanked Mafabi’s party for issuing a clear and strategic roadmap leading up to the election, indicating that preparations are well underway for a robust campaign across the country.
Mafabi, known for his sharp debating skills, anti-corruption stance, and grassroots mobilization in the Bugisu sub-region, has been a consistent figure in Parliament since 2001.
His entry into the presidential race is expected to shake up the political landscape, potentially attracting support from opposition factions, cooperatives, and development-minded citizens.
The FDC Electoral Commission today officially opened the process for choosing the Party’s Presidential Flagbearer for the 2026 General Elections.
The process of picking nomination forms will continue until tomorrow, 1st May 2025.
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