By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
WAKISO
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential aspirant Nathan Nandala Mafabi has said he is entering the race with no bitterness.
“I come with no hatred. We are coming into this election with no antagonism toward everyone,” Nandala told journalists on Wednesday morning before setting off for nomination at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Lweza.
He noted that President Museveni has overstayed in power, adding that the country now needs a new servant leader.
“President Museveni has ruled for 40 years and we thank him, but he can’t move on,” Nandala said, stressing that Ugandans can rely on him for socio-economic transformation.
He also challenged the rival Katonga faction under the People’s Front for Freedom to present a presidential candidate, singling out Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda.
“Lukwago wanted to be the President but he sees himself as a Lord Mayor. I would be happy to see him or Ssemujju on the ballot standing for the Presidency,” he remarked.
The once-united groups fell out after allegations emerged that ‘dirty’ money purportedly from State House was channeled to Nandala and party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi to weaken the opposition, sparking a bitter split within the FDC.
At around 9:30 a.m. today, the FDC team arrived at Lweza for the nomination of their candidate. The EC successfully nominated Nandala, handing him a presidential vehicle, security detail, and a soft copy of the national voters’ register.
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Nandala reiterated his campaign agenda under the slogan “Fixing the Economy, Money in Your Pockets.”
“I am standing to fix the economy. When President Museveni came here, he said he wanted to fix security. Now security is done, I have come to fix the economy,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2021 elections, when FDC’s presidential candidate was arrested and nominated without shoes, and the security misconduct in the previous elections, Nandala cautioned against the militarization of elections. He urged that all candidates be accorded equal security privileges during campaigns.
He pledged to tackle Uganda’s pressing challenges, including corruption, poverty, debt burden, governance issues, as well as weaknesses in agriculture, health, and education.
Nandala is expected to address his first public rally this afternoon at Kampala Playground, Butabika Parish, Nakawa Division.
