MBALE – In a powerful display of enduring support, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and its presidential flagbearer, Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, received a massive and energetic welcome in the Bugisu sub-region over the weekend, an event that has sent ripples through Uganda’s political landscape.
Thousands of fervent supporters thronged the Mbale Cricket Grounds, transforming the venue into a sea of the party’s signature blue color. The atmosphere was electric as crowds sang traditional songs and danced to the vigorous rhythms of the kadodi drum, a cultural symbol of the region, to celebrate their returning leader. The gathering culminated in a resounding endorsement of Nandala-Mafabi for the presidency in the 2026 general elections.
The mammoth rally is being viewed as a significant statement of the party’s resilience. It comes amid a period of intense internal turmoil and external pressure for the FDC. The party has recently been fractured by a deep split, leading to the establishment of rival factions based at the party’s original Najjanankumbi headquarters and the breakaway Katonga offices.
The event in Mbale served as a potent reminder that despite the highly publicized internal divisions and what supporters describe as state-sponsored interference, the FDC retains a strong and passionate grassroots base, particularly in its traditional strongholds outside the Central Region.
Analysts point to the Mbale rally as evidence that the FDC’s influence remains potent in the Eastern part of the country. This demonstration of force is likely to cause concern for other opposition parties, who now face a reinvigorated FDC faction in the race to consolidate the anti-incumbency vote.
The massive turnout also poses a challenge for state security apparatus, which often views large opposition gatherings with suspicion. The peaceful yet defiant nature of the event demonstrates a strong organic backing that is difficult to attribute solely to political mobilization.
The rally was notably framed by supporters as a defiance against alleged attempts by President Museveni’s government to splinter the party. There were widespread murmurs among the attendees about past allegations that top FDC leaders were offered billions of shillings to abandon the political struggle—a move that famously angered party founder Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and accelerated the party’s fragmentation.
As the road to #UgandaDecides2026 gets longer, Nandala-Mafabi’s hero’s welcome in Bugisu has undoubtedly reasserted the FDC’s claim as a formidable political force, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election.
