Amuriat vs Mafabi: Who is the right man for Forum for Democratic Change to challenge Museveni and Bobi Wine?
As both candidates prepare to embark on countrywide campaigns to court FDC delegates, insiders say the race is more than just a leadership contest — it’s a battle for the party’s soul.
A political faceoff is brewing within one of Uganda’s leading opposition parties, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), after the Party Electoral Commission yesterday unveiled Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala Mafabi as the official contenders for the party’s 2026 presidential flag bearer slot.
The announcement has set the stage for what could become the fiercest internal contest in the party’s history, putting two of its most seasoned political heavyweights against each other — each with a distinct ideology, support base, and vision for FDC’s future.
Eng. Amuriat, the former presidential candidate and one-time party president, returns to the ring with his populist, mobilization-first approach. Known for his barefoot campaigns and confrontational style, he carries the torch of resistance politics deeply rooted in the “defiance” ideology spearheaded by former party leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Rt. Hon. Mafabi, by contrast, represents a more institutional and reform-driven vision for the party. The long-serving Budadiri West MP and former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is banking on his reputation as a firm, no-nonsense strategist with a strong grip on parliamentary politics and fiscal discipline.
As both candidates prepare to embark on countrywide campaigns to court FDC delegates, insiders say the race is more than just a leadership contest — it’s a battle for the party’s soul.
“This is not just about who becomes flagbearer,” said FDC Electoral Commission chairperson Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda. “It’s about which direction the party takes — whether it remains activist-driven or leans into structured political engagement.”
Observers believe the outcome of this contest could reshape the opposition landscape in Uganda. For years, FDC has stood as the face of resistance against President Museveni’s rule, but internal wrangles, factionalism, and the recent exodus of senior members had cast doubt on its stability. The current race offers a chance to rebuild or unravel.
Despite their shared goal of unseating the ruling NRM regime, the two camps within FDC have already begun drawing battle lines. While Amuriat’s camp touts his connection with the grassroots and proven commitment to electoral activism, Mafabi’s supporters argue that the party now needs a tactician who can win both votes and institutions.
In separate statements issued after their nomination, both candidates struck tones of unity and readiness.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running. This is a movement to reclaim our country,” said Amuriat. “But we must remain firm, bold, and grounded in the struggle of the common people.”
Mafabi, meanwhile, emphasized reconciliation and party reform. “Our strength lies in organization. We must consolidate, not divide,” he said. “My candidature is about discipline, integrity, and strategy.”
The Delegates’ Conference in July will crown one of the two men as FDC’s presidential torchbearer. Until then, all eyes will be on how the campaign trail unfolds — and whether the internal contest strengthens or fractures the party further.
