By Our Reporter
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has outrightly rejected the outcome of the 2026 presidential election, citing widespread fraud and irregularities in the electoral process.
The party's flagbearer and Secretary General, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, made the announcement while addressing the media in Mbale city, stating that the FDC does not recognize the results announced by the Electoral Commission.
According to Mafabi, the election was "flawed and did not represent the genuine will of the people." He called for the resignation of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, and the reconstitution of a new electoral body.
"FDC rejects the outcome of the presidential elections in totality," Mafabi said. "We call for the resignation of Byabakama-led partisan Electoral Commission and reconstitution of a new electoral body."
According to the Electoral Commission, FDC's Nandala Mafabi secured 209,039 votes, translating to 1.88% of the total votes cast in the 2026 Ugandan Presidential election. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, secured 2,741,238 votes (24.72%), while the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) garnered 7,944,772 votes (71.65%). The voter turnout was 52.5%, with 11,366,201 Ugandans casting their ballots.
Mafabi attributed the low voter turnout to intimidation by security forces and lack of trust in the Electoral Commission. He also disputed the entire election process, stating that the elections were merely a ritual to legitimize President Museveni's stay in power.
The FDC alleges that campaign activities were violently disrupted by the army and police, citing incidents where Mafabi was attacked while campaigning in Amudat and Moroto, blocked from holding rallies in Kagadi, and subjected to teargas in Kasubi-Lubaga, Kasese, and other areas.
The party also accuses the Electoral Commission of presiding over massive ballot stuffing, falsifying results at district and national tally centers, and deliberate malfunctioning of Biometric Voter Identification machines.
Mafabi stated that the internet shutdown crippled communication and mobile money transactions, making it difficult to coordinate election activities and pay polling agents.
In addition to rejecting the election results, the FDC has called upon the government to fast-track the implementation of the Supreme Court recommendations on the Amama Mbabazi petition, including regulating the use of public resources by the incumbent, extending legal timelines for filing electoral petitions, and improving election management.
The party also urges the government to unconditionally release all political prisoners held on account of their political beliefs and activities.
Despite securing only 9 parliamentary seats, the FDC has pledged to continue with its pro-people struggle.
