The government postponed the elections of village chairpersons (LC1s and LC11s) due to financial constraints, leaving 57,842 villages and 7,431 parishes without elected representatives since their term expired in July 2023.
The opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has commenced the early identification of candidates from village to district levels in preparation for the upcoming local council elections and the 2026 general elections.
FDC’s Secretary General, Mr. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, mentioned that the identification process, already underway in districts like Sironko, will continue until February 2024.
“We are identifying candidates for the postponed local council elections and the 2026 general elections. Interested individuals must express their intention by February 28, or we will consider other committed candidates for the FDC party,” he stated during an interview at Mountain Inn Hotel in Mbale City.
Mafabi emphasized the importance of early identification to avoid last-minute decisions, which often result in the selection of weaker candidates and poor performance.
In an effort to regain popularity and challenge the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in the 2026 general elections, Mafabi expressed the FDC’s determination. In the 2021 elections, the FDC presidential candidate secured 3.26 percent of the votes.
Mafabi, who also chairs the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), outlined plans to address corruption and reduce expenditure to recover the economy if the FDC assumes power in 2026.
Local FDC leaders, such as Mr. Patrick Waniaye, the chairperson for Sironko District, are actively mobilizing at the grassroots to ensure the party reclaims political positions in 2026, aiming to sweep away the NRM from Sironko and Bugisu Sub-region.
During the 2021 general elections, the NRM performed poorly in Sironko District, losing parliamentary seats, the district chairperson position, and majority seats in the district council to the FDC.
MP Isaiah Ssasaga emphasized efforts to consolidate the FDC’s presence in Bugisu Sub-region, urging local leaders to actively promote party interests.
However, some NRM supporters and leaders in Sironko criticize their district chairperson, Mr. Suleiman Lumolo, accusing him of failing to unite the party. Allegations arose when Lumolo’s daughter, an NRM flag bearer, sought endorsement from FDC’s Mafabi for the 2026 elections, sparking mixed reactions.
