Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag bearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi has declared that he will do everything in his power to ensure Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago does not retain the Kampala City mayoral seat in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
According to reports, Nandala made the remarks during a closed-door meeting with top FDC officials, where he blamed Lukwago for the deep divisions that have rocked the party.
“If it wasn’t for Erias Lukwago’s ways, FDC would still be united today. Instead, he advised Dr. Kizza Besigye and others to form a new party, which they named PFF. Even if it means sponsoring a candidate from another party, I will do it until he is defeated completely,” Nandala reportedly said.
FDC’s Struggles and Candidate Choice
The once-powerful opposition party has been struggling politically since its split, a development that Nandala says still angers him. For the 2026 Kampala mayoral race, FDC has fronted Ibrahim Kasozi as its candidate, though insiders admit he faces an uphill task in a contest dominated by heavyweights.
NUP Strategy Shifts
Meanwhile, sources indicate that the National Unity Platform (NUP) has abandoned earlier plans to withdraw from the Kampala mayoral race. The party has instead resolved to fully back Eng. Balimwezo, a move that could significantly tighten the race.
Lukwago Under Pressure
With Nandala openly plotting against him and NUP throwing its weight behind Balimwezo, Lukwago—who has been Kampala’s mayor since 2011—may be facing one of his toughest political battles yet.
The Kampala mayoral race is shaping up to be a fierce three-way fight, with political alliances, grudges, and party strategies likely to determine who takes control of Uganda’s capital city in 2026.
