By Aggrey BabaIn a surprising but carefully negotiated decision, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat yesterday, stepped aside in favor of Secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi, endorsing him as the party’s official presidential flagbearer for the 2026 general elections.The decision followed weeks of consultations and mediation led by FDC elders, religious leaders, and regional representatives from across the country’s 21 sub-regions. The deal was struck during a closed-door meeting at the party in Najjanankumbi on Tuesday, and let out to the public on Wednesday.Amuriat and Mafabi had both been preparing to compete for the party’s presidential flag during the conference, but the agreement now makes that vote unnecessary.The development has been described by many as a turning point for the FDC, marking what they called an “historic moment of unity” within the Najjanankumbi based political outfit.The consensus is also being celebrated for preserving party cohesion in a political climate where divisions in opposition camps are often exploited.Amuriat, who has led the FDC since 2017 and contested the 2021 general election, reportedly made the decision to step down as a gesture of solidarity and strategic foresight, not due to lack of support.He emphasized his intention to stand firmly behind Mafabi throughout the presidential campaign, describing their relationship as one grounded in nearly three decades of political activism and shared sacrifice.Amuriat said his withdrawal will spare the party the financial burden of conducting a competitive internal vote for flagbearer, allowing resources to be redirected to Mafabi’s national campaign. He also recalled that Mafabi had initially been the preferred candidate in 2021, but declined at the time, citing unreadiness, and that’s how Amuriat stepped in and carried the party’s flag.In his remarks following the endorsement, Nandala Mafabi described the nomination as an unexpected but profound honour, thanking Amuriat and the party elders, particularly those from Bugisu and Teso sub-regions, for their support and the role they played in brokering consensus.Mafabi reflected on his long personal and political history with Amuriat, tracing it back to their university years. He described their joint activism, including difficult moments such as shared arrests, imprisonment, and campaigning under pressure, as foundational to the FDC’s character.He acknowledged that stepping forward to lead the party into the 2026 elections is both a national responsibility and an opportunity to prove that internal discipline and collective interest can guide political decisions. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).