Agriculture, jobs and clean governance are my priorities, Nandala tells Ankole

ANKOLE - Presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has outlined an ambitious reform agenda targeting agriculture, public services, and economic revival as he campaigns across the districts of Rubirizi, Mitooma and Ntungamo in Ankole region.

The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change party leader, on December 11, 2025, in Katerera and Bunyaruguru town councils in Rubirizi, criticised what he described as decades of neglect in the agricultural sector.

According to Nandala, the Government should have introduced harvest insurance 40 years ago to shield farmers from unpredictable losses caused by droughts, pests and unstable markets.

Nandala committed to strengthening value addition so that farmers earn more from their produce and more jobs are created in rural communities. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

According to him, current frustrations among farmers are a direct consequence of weak agricultural systems that fail to support producers.

One of his strongest pledges was to introduce nationwide harvest insurance to ensure farmers receive compensation whenever their crops fail.

He committed to strengthening value addition so that farmers earn more from their produce and more jobs are created in rural communities. He also promised that farmers would be paid instantly for their produce to avoid delays and exploitation by middlemen.

Wildlife challenges

Addressing concerns from Rubirizi residents about recurring wildlife invasions, Nandala promised to direct the Uganda Wildlife Authority to complete the electric fence around Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Many communities bordering the park have suffered crop destruction for years due to the delayed fencing project. Nandala said protecting residents from wild animals would be a priority in his administration.

Co-operatives

He also pledged to revive co-operative institutions that once sustained rural economies. He criticised the collapse of the Banyankore Kweterana Cooperative Union, calling it a deliberate weakening of farmers’ economic power.

Nandala vowed to restore cooperatives across all regions of Uganda and revive both the Cooperative Bank and Agricultural Bank to improve access to affordable credit. He added that the Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB), which was closed years ago, would be reinstated to support local enterprise.

Corruption

In his campaign messages across Mitooma and Ntungamo, Nandala repeatedly emphasised tackling corruption, saying trillions of shillings are lost each year through mismanagement and theft.

He promised a strict anti-corruption regime that would ensure national wealth remains in the hands of Ugandans.

To reinforce this, he said government contracts would be awarded to Ugandan companies so that money circulates within the country rather than benefiting foreign contractors.

Nandala addressed long-standing political and governance concerns as well. He condemned what he termed increasing brutality by security personnel, attributing it to poor welfare and leadership failures.

Improving the welfare of security officers, he said, would reduce incidences of violence against citizens.

On political detentions, he touched on the imprisonment of Dr Kizza Besigye, saying his administration would release all individuals he described as political detainees.

Unemployment

Youth unemployment featured prominently in his pledges. Nandala said his government would expand skilling centres across the country to ensure more young people acquire employable skills.

He also announced a revolving fund for tea farmers to help them purchase fertilisers and boost production.

Throughout his tour of the region, Nandala made brief stops in places including Ishaka and Bushenyi, where supporters turned up in large numbers to greet him. He said his vision is to build a country where every Ugandan enjoys equal access to services and opportunities.

FDC National Chairperson for Western Uganda Jack Sabiiti addressed supporters during the rallies and said that while they appreciate President Yoweri Museveni’s contribution to Uganda, it is time for him to leave the political stage.

Today, Friday, December 12, Nandala is expected to take his campaign message to Rukungiri and Kanungu districts as he continues to consolidate support in Western Uganda.