I have come to fix the economy—FDC's Nandala Mafabi

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flagbearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi has launched his campaign with the pledge: Fixing the economy in our pockets.

Addressing supporters in Kampala city's Butabika slums on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Nandala vowed to tackle poverty and revive Uganda’s economy, saying: I have come with the new energy to fix every problem.

Nandala criticised President Yoweri Museveni’s 40-year tenure, accusing him of failing to address economic stagnation.

“For the positions I’ve held since university, I doubt anyone can revamp our economy better than me,” he said, emphasising his credentials as a lawyer, economist, and agriculturist.

However, President Yoweri Museveni in June 2025, during the national budget speech, said the economy had exponentially grown. President Museveni underscored that in 1986, Uganda’s GDP was just $3.9 billion, noting that, “You can see the economy has grown more than 20 times, I thought you should mark that, because in a long speech like this you may not notice the big picture.” The economy's current size was estimated to be at about $59.3 billion (nominal) by June 2025.

The rally, held in a working-class area, symbolised Nandala’s commitment to the marginalised.

“Poverty in Uganda is at its peak. My government will give each university graduate a startup capital of shillings one million, increase local government salaries and lower public servants’ costs,” he said.

Economic vision and social justice

Nandala’s plan extends beyond urban elites to include agriculture and small businesses.

He promises to boost funding for co-operatives like the Bugisu Co-operative Union to empower farmers and traders.

He also promises to support women with monthly stipends and low-interest loans for market vendors. For the senior citizens, Mafabi looks at financial support for the elderly: No one chooses to be born in Uganda. So, everyone deserves equal care.

Nandala framed his campaign as a unifying force, promising to “lead with integrity as a God-fearing person.” 

He urged voters to back FDC candidates across the board: Vote for all our flag-bearers, and taste the difference.

Former Members of Parliament like Ibrahim Kasozi, aspiring Kampala Lord Mayor, hailed the nomination as “the beginning of change.” 

Kasozi warned of FDC’s resolve against electoral misconduct: We won’t sit idle if there’s rigging.

FDC party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi presented Nandala with FDC’s symbolic key, representing a commitment to “unlocking Uganda’s economic hardships.”

With a mix of populism and policy promises, Nandala’s campaign aims to redefine Uganda’s economic narrative. As he declared: The future is in our pockets—let’s fix it together.