Blue flags, kadodi drums as Nandala gets rousing Kitgum reception

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For about three hours, Kitgum Municipality came to a standstill as a convoy of over 100 vehicles, part of a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) procession, made a dramatic entry into the district.

The party’s presidential candidate, James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, had just completed a day-long campaign trail in Lamwo district and was now heading to reclaim Kitgum, once a stronghold of the FDC.

Led by the incumbent Kitgum Municipality MP Denis Onekalit Amere, the FDC caravan entered the town via the Kitgum–Musingo highway at approximately 4:50 pm, advancing in a slow but deliberate procession.

The colourful convoy was accompanied by kadodi traditional dancers, loud secular music from six campaign trucks, and a swarm of boda boda riders cheering and escorting the motorcade.

Along the roadside, crowds of enthusiastic supporters waved, danced, and chanted “Nandala nni yye ansa!”, a phrase meaning “Nandala is the answer” to their problems.

However, unlike other parts of the Acholi sub-region, where security forces had provided the FDC a relatively smooth passage, the situation in Kitgum was tense.

District police commander Peter Oyesigye reportedly attempted to block the FDC team from accessing the town centre, but his efforts were overwhelmed by jubilant crowds who defied the directive and marched alongside the convoy.

The rally was scheduled to take place at Christ the King playground. Security again attempted to prevent the gathering, but after several minutes of negotiations, police eventually relented, and the rally went ahead as planned, drawing one of Nandala's largest crowds seen since the campaign trail began.

Addressing supporters, Nandala Mafabi reminded the people of Kitgum that the district had long been a strong base for the FDC, urging them to reclaim their political identity from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

 

He particularly mentioned Lilian Aber, the current Woman MP, as one of those the NRM is using to erode the FDC’s influence in the area.

“Kitgum has always stood for truth, justice, and service to the people,” Mafabi said. “We are here to renew that spirit and rebuild what once made FDC a home for the Acholi.”

For four consecutive days, Mafabi has been traversing the Acholi sub-region, holding rallies in Lamwo, Amuru, and Gulu, promising better service delivery, accountability, and reconciliation among Uganda’s diverse communities.