Nandala promises agricultural funding and fair mineral wealth during Mubende, Kyegegwa tour

MUBENDE - Presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has taken his campaign trail through the district of Mubende and Kyegegwa districts and used the mineral-rich heart of the country to outline his vision for fair resource sharing, agricultural investment and economic transformation.

Nandala, who is the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer, kicked off his campaign in the area on December 21, 2025, in Mubende, making four rallies as he addressed roadside gatherings and community meetings.

At each stop, he returned to a central campaign pledge: An FDC-led government would allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture, with particular attention to coffee-growing regions such as Mubende and the wider central belt.

“Agriculture must stop being spoken about in speeches and start being funded properly. When we put serious money into agriculture, especially coffee, we shall increase household incomes and lift communities out of poverty.” Nandala told residents.

Mubende’s long history with gold mining also featured prominently in his message. The district has in recent years become synonymous with gold extraction, but communities have repeatedly complained that they benefit little from the mineral wealth beneath their land.

Addressing a rally in Kibaati trading centre, Nandala said his government would prioritise protecting local communities in mineral-rich areas from exploitation.

“God gave these resources to the people who live here. Whether it is agriculture or minerals, communities must be the first beneficiaries, not victims,” he said.

Residents used the rally to raise their own concerns, including the alleged continued arrest of Opposition supporters, rampant land grabbing and what they described as growing insecurity around land tenure in the area.

Others sought clarification on the use of biometric voter verification machines and the measures in place to protect voters during the 2026 General Election.

Nandala responded by assuring supporters that electoral transparency and citizen protection would be key priorities under his leadership. He also criticised what he described as selective enforcement of the law, arguing that political competition should not be criminalised.

The issue of gold mining dominated interactions later in the day when Nandala held discussions with local leaders and small-scale miners. Asked whether his government would support the establishment of a locally owned gold refinery, Nandala was unequivocal.

“My government will ensure that miners have proper protective gear and that refineries are run by Ugandans or the Government. It cannot be right that all our refineries are owned by foreigners while our people remain poor,” he said.

He added that increased local ownership would help keep value within the country, create jobs and improve regulation of the mining sector.

Agriculture-led industrialisation

In Kyegegwa, part of the greater Toro region, Nandala shifted focus to agriculture-led industrialisation, particularly tea growing, which is a major economic activity in the area.

Speaking to supporters, he described tea as “a money magnet” if properly supported through value addition.

“As president, I will make sure tea is not just grown and sold cheaply. We shall add value so that farmers see real money. We will make sure workers are paid well, value additional factories for small-scale tea growers and give them capital to start something,” Nandala said.

He promised to invest in infrastructure to support economic growth, including roads to ease transportation, schools to improve education outcomes and health centres to strengthen access to healthcare.

“I want to fix your roads, your schools and your health units so that all Ugandans can enjoy their country. None of us applied to be born here. We were born here, and we all deserve a fair chance,” he said.

Nandala also linked the experiences of Kyegegwa to other resource-rich areas he has visited, including Buhweju and Mubende, arguing that Uganda’s natural wealth should be a source of shared prosperity rather than conflict and dispossession.

“I bring hope. We shall create more industries and more jobs for our people. Miners will be protected, insured and we will set up local gold refinaeries to help out on these workers with good salaries. These refineries will give them good machinery for mining not just using hands and water to look for gold,” he said.

With just over three weeks remaining before Ugandans choose their next five-year government, Nandala said Toro has been left behind despite their economic potential.

Voices from Mubende

Alozious Mwesigwa, a resident of Mubende, said the continued arrest of Opposition supporters was creating fear among voters and undermining democratic participation.

“The problem we have here is intimidation. People are arrested simply for wearing party colours or attending opposition meetings. This creates fear and discourages people from freely supporting the leaders they believe in. We want an election where no one is hunted because of their political choice. What do you advise us to do?”

Enock Sande raised concerns about vote bribery and questioned how opposition votes would be protected on polling day.

“We hear many promises, but our worry is who will protect our votes, especially after voting on January 15. Money is being given to voters openly, and poor people are tempted. How will you stop voter bribery, and how will you ensure that our votes are counted and not stolen?

Following what his campaign described as successful rallies in Mubende, Kasanda and Kyegegwa, the FDC candidate is expected to continue his trail in Kyankwanzi, Kiboga and Mityana districts.