FDC's Nandala confronts questions in Besigye's home district

RUKUNGIRI - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi will be shifting gears on his campaign trail in Kigezi sub-region on Saturday, as he takes his 'Fixing the economy, Money in our pockets' message to the districts of Kabale, Kisoro and Rubanda.

While campaigning in Rukungiri — the birth district of Dr Kizza Besigye — on Friday, Nandala faced a measure of hostility from furious residents, who demanded answers over the incarcerated veteran opposition politician.

Besigye, a former president of the FDC and four-time presidential candidate, has been on remand in jail since late 2024, facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms.

At every rally stop, supporters who took to the microphone raised questions about Besigye’s detention, with many chanting “Free Besigye!” as Nandala's convoy slalomed through the district. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

He is now leading the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), an opposition political party gazetted this year.

In Rukungiri, Nandala promised to release Besigye if he ascends to the presidency.

“You say you want Besigye. We all love him. But it is not me who imprisoned him; it is Mr [Yoweri] Museveni. I have no personal prison," he said.

"Museveni came to Rukungiri for campaigns; you should have asked him about Besigye. Give me your vote, and I will release him immediately because he has no case to answer."

On a wet day, Nandala's convoy had to negotiate slippery roads following a morning downpour that had delayed his departure from Ntungamo district.

His arrival in Rukungiri was marked by a conspicuous absence of his campaign posters, an unwelcome cue for the first-time presidential candidate.

Instead, it was the campaign posters bearing Besigye’s portrait, some depicting him behind bars, that were ubiquitous. Others were of parliamentary and local government candidates contesting on the FDC ticket.

At every rally stop, supporters who took to the microphone raised questions about Besigye’s detention, with many chanting “Free Besigye!” as Nandala's convoy slalomed through the district.

He first rally had started at 2pm in Kebisoni Town Council, where residents had gathered early to listen to him.

Alan Nabaasa, the FDC flagbearer for Rubabo County and the party’s district chairperson, said featuring Besigye on campaign materials was both political and deeply emotional, despite Besigye now paying allegiance to the PFF.

“Dr Kizza Besigye is our founding president, and he is a son of Rukungiri. There is no way you can separate us from him. However much he is now on another side of the opposition, for us, we treasure him as our founding father and as our own," he said.

'We are still together'

At each stop, Besigye’s continued detention dominated interactions between residents and the FDC leadership.

Nandala repeatedly rejected claims that opposition infighting had contributed to the opposition stalwart's predicament, insisting that his arrest and prolonged detention were decisions of the ruling government.

“We have been together in the struggle since the year 2000, and we are still together. If there are political prisoners in this country, they were created by Museveni, not by FDC."

The FDC campaign later moved to Buyanja Town Council, where FDC national chairperson Jack Sabiti joined residents in condemning what they described as selective justice and a shrinking political space.

“If the motive is to stop him from standing, that is another matter, but this silence from government tells a lot."

From Buyanja, the convoy proceeded to Rukungiri town, where tensions briefly flared. Some residents raised fresh concerns, accusing certain political actors of betraying party ideals.

Chants erupted, and as agitation simmered, FDC supporters and foot soldiers who move with Nandala retreated to their vehicles shortly after opening a new FDC office in the town. The convoy pulled out and headed towards Kanungu to avoid confrontation.

Despite Rukungiri’s historical association with the opposition, the district now presents a complex political picture.

Campaign posters and aspirants from the PFF and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) were visibly dominant, with comparatively few signs of FDC or National Unity Platform (NUP) activity across many parts of the district.