Two former rivals from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Nandala Mafabi and Gen Mugisha Muntu, were nominated as presidential candidates for the 2026 elections today. Mafabi, the FDC’s long-time secretary general, was the first to show up at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Lweza.
He promised to “put money in the pockets” of Ugandans by boosting agriculture and industrial production, which will ultimately create jobs.
Muntu, now leading the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), was also smoothly verified by the EC. He later told the media that Museveni had deliberately “broken the country” in a sophisticated way that even those who are “broken” are still running around him. He said he will repair the country.
Once bitter enemies within the FDC, these two are now potential challengers to Museveni’s long rule, their paths crossing again, 20 years after they joined the FDC.
The FDC aimed to challenge Museveni’s rule. Muntu, still serving in EALA, brought his military experience and calm planning, while Mafabi used his Bugisu networks to bring in rural supporters. Together, they helped the FDC win 37 seats in the 2006 elections, making it a strong opponent to Museveni’s NRM.
For years, they worked together, Muntu as the chief mobiliser and Mafabi as the party treasurer, but their different styles and approaches to politics caused tension: Muntu liked organized, non-violent and civil means to opposing Museveni while Mafabi, like Besigye, preferred a more militant approach.
Things fell apart in 2012 when Besigye stepped down as FDC president. Muntu and Mafabi both wanted to lead the party, sparking a fierce three-month contest. Muntu won with 659 votes to Mafabi’s 387, but the fight left the FDC divided.
Mafabi’s supporters said the vote was unfair, while Muntu struggled to keep the party united. Muntu led the FDC until 2017 but faced constant clashes with Mafabi’s group. In 2017, Muntu lost the FDC leadership to Patrick Amuriat in a messy internal election. Mafabi was elected secretary general. Tired of the fighting, Muntu left the FDC in 2018 and started the ANT in 2019, promising clean governance and youth empowerment.
Mafabi stayed in the FDC and gained total control of it. He clashed with Dr Besigye, who left with other members like Erias Lukwago and Ibrahim Ssemujju to form the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF).
Now as Museveni seeks another term amid economic struggles and youth unrest, Mafabi and Muntu are back as presidential candidates. Mafabi says he wants to fix the economy, while Muntu promises to fix the entire country. Besigye, their former leader and mentor, is still in prison.
Will they find ways of working together? That’s the big question.
