My govt will not shield the corrupt, says presidential aspirant Mafabi

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer in the 2026 General Election, James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, says his leadership will not shield corrupt civil servants. 

Nandala, who continues to traverse the West Nile region, was on November 13, 2025, in Madi-Okollo and Terego, pledging to audit all officials who have been cited in corruption scandals, and these will be brought to book once found guilty, once he is voted into power.

Campaigning across the two districts, Mafabi said corruption has become the defining crisis of Uganda’s governance, draining over shillings 10 trillion every year while citizens continue to suffer as if the government collects no taxes.

“The FDC government will audit every official, and corruption will not be tolerated.” He pledged.

Mafabi said while citizens consistently contribute to the economy through taxes, they receive very little in return, with roads remaining in a deplorable state, hospitals lacking equipment and schools continuing to struggle while billions disappear through corruption scandals.

It should be noted, however, that the government dedicates shillings one billion to each of the over 135 districts every financial year towards road rehabilitation. The Government plans allocations for capital investments geared towards health systems development.

The funds are allocated with the aim of functionalising existing facilities, reducing referrals abroad, improving maternal and reproductive health indicators and providing the requisite medical equipment. Key among the planned investments over the medium term is the revamping and making functional all Health Centre (HC) IVs, including upgrading HC IIIs to HC IVs in counties where they do not exist.

“The FDC will be an alpha and omega on your money. You should demand accountability. Give me an opportunity to go and fight corruption in Uganda so that all your money is saved, so that we reduce taxes. Instead of taxes being high, they come down to between 5% and 10%, so that you can buy more items with the same money and not be cheated in this country,” Nandala promised.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, West Nile has an estimated population of 3.3 million people and hosts large refugee communities. However, the region faces challenges of poverty, unemployment, poor access to clean water, and deep infrastructure gaps.

Local leaders who spoke during the rallies echoed the struggles in the health and education sectors.

“For health, people really face a lot of challenges, poverty is too much in this district, and illiteracy remains high because of the bad education system happening in this country,” LC1 chairperson aspirant Jamirah Letiru told New Vision Online.

Nandala also discussed solutions to the challenges small businesses face and proposed a tax-free growth plan for emerging entrepreneurs.

“We come here with a solution for all small businesses. We are going to give you seed money so that you grow from down and up, and nobody will tax you until you are up there,” he said.

On poverty alleviation programmes, Mafabi accused government initiatives of reducing citizens to beggars instead of empowering them. Should he be elected, he promised to overhaul the system by investing in meaningful job creation and community-level economic growth.

In Madi-Okollo, where many residents depend on the River Nile for fishing, Mafabi pledged to revive the sector by ensuring fair trade and better market access.

“I know you fish here; I want you to talk to those people who come here trading in fish that we want better trade. God gave you the water, and you must enjoy the water with your fish,” he said.

According to the FDC Deputy President Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, the two districts, carved from Arua, continue to suffer from unresolved boundary disputes that have interrupted social services, especially in education. He expressed frustration that the UPE Capitation Grant for schools located in Madi-Okollo is still being channelled through Terego District.

“How on earth will a school be located in Madi-Okollo, and the capitation grant comes from Terego? Teachers have not been paid by the Terego District. This is an injustice. It must stop.” Fungaroo expressed his disappointment.

The FDC camp continues to sweep down the West Nile with Arua and Malacha districts next on the road map.