By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda & Eric Kikomeko
Updated at 21:35, Monday, 1 December 2025

Nandala Mafabi and Male Mabirizi Emerge as the Only Candidates Willing to Forgive Museveni

As Uganda heads toward the January 2026 general elections, the question of political transition dominated Sunday night’s highly anticipated Presidential Debate hosted by NTV Uganda. The debate, which was watched by millions locally and abroad, brought together five presidential candidates seeking to succeed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who did not participate.

The three-hour debate was moderated by Priscilla Nalwoga Regina and Dr. Arnold Segawa.

Candidates Present

Five presidential contenders took part:

• Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), National Unity Platform (NUP)
  A leading opposition figure, Kyagulanyi was the runner-up in the 2021 general election. He rejected those results, citing electoral fraud, and filed—but later withdrew—a petition at the Supreme Court.
• Rtd. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT)
  A former UPDF army commander, former FDC president, and former East African Legislative Assembly MP.
• Frank Bulira Kabinga, Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP)
  Represents the party founded by the late Dr. Aggrey Kiyingi.
• Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)
  An economist who previously worked with the World Bank and IMF, former Leader of Opposition, and former COSASE chairperson.
• Elton Joseph Mabirizi, Conservative Party (CP)
  An engineer and Pentecostal preacher running for the second time, having first contested in 2016.

Debate Themes

Candidates tackled issues including the economy, security, governance, judicial reforms, youth unemployment, tourism, and the rule of law.

At one point, Kyagulanyi was asked to clarify remarks captured in a viral video from a rally in Kawempe where he stated: “I am a rebel, you’re all rebels… behave like rebels.” He confirmed the statement, saying:
“Yes, those are my words. I am a rebel just like Museveni was in the 1980s, only that I am advocating for peace.”

Forgive or Prosecute Museveni?

The debate took an intense turn when international journalist and civil society leader Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin (L.H.D., Hon.) posed a pointed question to all candidates:

“Uganda has not had a peaceful transition since independence, Would you forgive President Museveni and his family if he left power, or would you prosecute him?”I need a yes or no from each candidate. “

Only two candidates responded:

• Nathan Nandala Mafabi (FDC) said he would forgive Museveni “for the sake of the people.”
• Elton Joseph Mabirizi (CP) said he had already written to the President requesting a “soft landing” and emphasized his push for a federal system of governance.

According to NTV producers, the clip of Kivumbi’s question has garnered over 200,000 views on TikTok within 20 hours.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMAE7bh9B/

Reactions Beyond the Stage

NUP spokesperson and Leader of Opposition Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi told HICGI News Agency that the party would release an official video response regarding Kivumbi’s question.

A senior Nation Media journalist, speaking anonymously, noted that should President Museveni face prosecution after leaving office, it “would not be unprecedented,” citing cases where other former heads of state have been pursued for crimes against humanity.

Other Highlights

• Nandala Mafabi vowed to “redeem the economy from foreign control” and prioritized expanding Uganda’s tea sector to create jobs and increase revenue.
• RPP’s Frank Bulira pledged to rename Entebbe International Airport to Sir Edward Mutesa International Airport.
• Bobi Wine condemned the continued blocking of Facebook in Uganda and accused the judiciary of being “held hostage,” alleging that a judge who ruled in his favour “was forced into exile.”
• Gen. Mugisha Muntu said election results have historically not reflected opposition support:
  “Dr. Kizza Besigye had the biggest crowds ever, yet the ballot did not reflect this. The same has happened with Kyagulanyi.”

What’s Next?

With the debate broadcast live on television, radio, and online platforms, voters continue to weigh the performances as the country inches closer to what many expect to be one of Uganda’s most consequential elections in decades.