FDC's Nandala condemns security attacks on political candidates

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer for the 2026 General Election, Nandala Mafabi, condemned violence targeting National Unity Platform (NUP) rallies allegedly orchestrated by security agencies.

Speaking to journalists on his campaign trail in Nakaseke district and later Nansana municipality on November 30, 2025, Nandala said electoral violence threatens Uganda’s democracy and the integrity of a free and fair 2026 General Election.

Responding to concerns that Opposition leaders, including himself, had remained silent on the attacks against NUP, Nandala said he preferred to wait for facts rather than comment on what 'I don’t know very well'. However, he was clear that any Police or military involvement in disrupting NUP’s rallies is unacceptable.

“If we discover that NUP was really attacked instead of being protected, some of us are going to come out stronger and even might call off the campaign,” he warned.

Nandala called for transparency and demanded that the Electoral Commission immediately appoint a dedicated commissioner or staff member to handle all incidents of election-related violence.

He said their own campaigns had faced interference from Police officers who attempt to control or interrupt rallies, contrary to the mandate of recording scenes and ensuring safety.

“The work of the Police is to protect the scenes, not to interfere with the rally. Any Police officer trying to interfere will face the law. Their job is protection, not disruption.”

Police warning

Nandala's remarks came a day before Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba strongly warned against escalating electoral violence, citing a series of confrontations involving NUP supporters and security personnel in the districts of Kayunga, Lira, Iganga, Mbarara, Karamoja, Abim and Kampala city's Kawempe division, among others.

He said the Uganda Police Force and sister security agencies will continue enforcing campaign guidelines firmly to preserve peace ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to the Police, the most recent fracas occurred in Kayunga district, where a NUP candidate held campaign rallies culminating in Kayunga county, a fortnight ago.

Byakagaba, while addressing the media at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, said: The candidate (Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine) arrived late and attempted to address supporters beyond the 6:00pm campaign cut-off time, a regulation issued to safeguard public order and the safety of both supporters and candidates.

“Officers on duty advised him to stop, but he allegedly refused to comply. Police then halted the rally and dispersed the crowds after the candidate continued mobilising supporters in defiance of the guidelines,” Byakagaba said.

He added that another confrontation erupted on November 28, 2025, in Iganga district, minutes after the same candidate concluded his campaign. Stones were reportedly thrown at officers by sections of the crowd. Security responded by dispersing the violent mob. Amid the chaos, one civilian sustained fatal injuries.

Limited campaign time

Nandala also expressed frustration with the limited campaign time, arguing that their village-based mobilisation method takes longer but allows deeper engagement.

“By the time you reach the rally, it is already late. Yet the Police must be there. This is why we insist they should not interfere. Let them record what they want, but not disrupt the people.” Nandala highlighted.

While still awaiting a full briefing on what transpired at the recent NUP rallies, Nandala expressed sympathy for the victims.

Nandala criticised the government for abandoning Luwero and Nakaseke, which he described as historically significant regions that have instead become 'symbols of poverty and neglect'. He noted that despite being the cradle of the NRM revolution, the area remains underdeveloped.

“We expected Luwero and Nakaseke, Mecca as they call it, to have people with good lives. But the roads are bad, co-operative societies are gone, poverty is deep, and people are crying about cattle theft, land grabbing and moneylenders.” Nandala said.

He noted that Kapeka Road has remained untarmacked for 40 years, reducing economic opportunities for residents.

Nandala outlined his master plan as one designed to rebuild Uganda’s economic backbone, beginning with the revival of the Co-operative Bank and the restoration of the Agriculture Bank to empower farmers and cooperatives.

Plans for the country

He said his government would establish 21 coffee factories across the country, with each sub-region hosting one tailored to its local raw materials, as part of a wider effort to create jobs for young people. The plan also focuses on strengthening institutions to effectively fight corruption, alongside improving education, healthcare and general public service delivery to ensure Ugandans receive quality services nationwide.

“I come with an idea to change Uganda for the betterment of all of us. Nobody applied to be born here. Our mission is to fix the economy and put money into people’s pockets.”

Asked how he would address chronic cattle theft and land grabbing in Luwero and Nakaseke, Nandala claimed the issues can be solved swiftly with community empowerment and enforcement of existing laws.

He referenced his experience in Sironko district, where he claims cattle theft was eliminated within a single day after introducing strict measures such as allowing animals to be slaughtered only during daytime, enforcing mandatory veterinary stamps on all meat, requiring authorisation letters for transportation, and ensuring cleaner, regulated systems for moving meat.

On land grabbing, he promised decisive action, saying those who stole land using connections to security agencies or government officials will be exposed and victims compensated.

 “We are not here to insult anybody. We want the country to be united so that anybody from north to south, east to west can move freely.”

Voices from Nakaseke

Faridah Nakiryowa, the FDC flag-bearer for the Nakaseke mayoral seat, asked Nandala to empower area coffee farmers just like he has done in Bugisu. She promised to work with the FDC presidential hopeful to fix Nakaseke’s messed-up roads.

“The biggest problem here is the roads; the only tarmac we have was put in Kapeka because of the government programs in that area. I pledge to fix that. I also pledge to get free coffee seedlings for our farmers,” Nakiryowa noted.

Muhammed Katende, a shopkeeper at Kapeka trading centre, told New Vision Online that whoever is elected for the next five years should restore electricity stability.

Nalujja Sarah, a resident of Kiwoko, said land reform should be at the centre of any serious presidential candidate’s agenda, arguing that land grabbing in the area has become unbearable and is often facilitated by people connected to the government.