Nandala braves rain in push to reclaim FDC’s lost ground in Amuru

AMURU - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi braved heavy rain on Friday, October 31, as he campaigned in Amuru District, a traditional FDC stronghold that has in recent years seen several defections to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Currently camping in the Acholi sub-region, Nandala’s rallies were repeatedly disrupted by downpours, but his supporters waited patiently for him at every stop. Accompanied by Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya, Nandala entered Atiak Town Council for his second day of campaigns in Acholi.

Amuru was once one of the FDC’s strongest bastions. In the 2021 general election, the district voted overwhelmingly for the party, electing leaders including Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South MP), Anthony Akol (Kilak North MP), Lucy Akello (Woman MP), and Michael Lakony (LCV Chairperson).

Despite the rain, crowds turned up in Atiak, Pabbo Town Council, Parabongo Trading Centre and Gulu district town council to hear Nandala outline his vision for rebuilding Uganda’s economy. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

However, this unity has since been fractured. Earlier this year, both Akol and Lakony, along with some local leaders, defected to the NRM and are now standing against FDC candidates, weakening the party’s influence in an area that once delivered a majority of its presidential votes in Acholi.

Despite the rain, crowds turned up in Atiak, Pabbo Town Council, Parabongo Trading Centre and Gulu district town council to hear Nandala outline his vision for rebuilding Uganda’s economy. 

He thanked supporters for their loyalty and promised to put money in their pockets through agricultural and infrastructure reforms.

Among his key pledges was the revival of railway transport in the Acholi sub-region. Once a vital link connecting northern Uganda to the rest of the country and East Africa, the railway has been non-functional for over two decades due to war and disrepair. Nandala said restoring it would reopen markets for crops such as rice, soya beans, groundnuts, and maize, which are the region’s major cash crops.

“We will revive the railway transport that this government killed because they wanted to keep you in poverty,” he told supporters at Lacor Akurukwe Trading Centre.
Currently, the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu railway line, which started in 2023, is ongoing.

According to Uganda Railways Corporation, the project is now at over 50% completion, with a target completion date of February 2026. 

Physical progress is around 52%, while financial progress is at approximately 65.6%. Key activities include track laying, earthworks, and the installation of bridges and culverts. 

Nandala also addressed one of the most pressing issues in Acholi, the balaalo (pastoralist) invasions. He accused big people in government of using the balaalo to grab land from local communities and vowed to evict them once elected.

“We know you are losing your land to those so-called big people in government. The balaalo must leave your land under my government,” he declared, drawing loud cheers.
Local leaders echoed this concern, saying government orders for the balaalo to vacate Acholi have gone unimplemented. Their animals continue to destroy crops belonging to local farmers, deepening tensions.

Nandala’s campaign message also centred on shifting Acholi from subsistence to commercial agriculture. He pledged to revive farmers’ cooperatives, build silos for storage, and introduce agricultural insurance to protect farmers against droughts and floods.

“We are going to restore cotton farming in Acholi because it used to benefit our people. My government will dedicate 10% of the budget to boost agriculture,” he said.

He also promised to tarmac feeder roads that have been neglected for years, noting that the government’s focus on major highways has made it difficult for farmers to access bigger markets.

Security was another major concern Nandala touched on. He promised to restore safety and confidence in northern Uganda, still haunted by post-war memories. He cited the Amuru–Adjumani boundary conflict, which continues to trigger violence and displacement between the Acholi and Madi communities.

“We know you are near the border with South Sudan, so we will make sure you are safe. Your animals and properties will be protected,” he said.

“Those who lost their animals and property will be compensated with interest. Cattle compensation doesn’t need committees like Museveni has set up; you deserve your animals urgently.”

His promise is similar to earlier pledge by rival camp of the National Resistance Movement candidate Yoweri Museveni.

While I'm in Acholi Sub-region, Teso and Lango, he pledged a revised cattle compensation program for northern Uganda, where each affected household would receive five cows.

Nandala’s visit comes just weeks after Museveni campaigned in the same region setting the stage for a fierce contest for the Acholi vote.

Local politicians on Nandala's trail

Gilbert Olanya, FDC’s candidate for Kilak South, said compensation for losses during insurgencies and land conflicts remains a key concern.

“The property and cattle you lost will be compensated at current market prices. The president set up about seven committees to handle Apar, and Parliament set up ten more, but the issue remains unresolved,” he said.

“Apar is the only place with a markstone as a boundary, and people still face roadblocks just to access their own land.” He added.

 Lucy Akello, Woman MP for Amuru District, decried the collapse of essential services in Apar, saying residents have been abandoned.

“Our people cannot access good health or education because all schools in Apar have been closed and health facilities shut down. Mothers are dying while giving birth because there are no health services,” she said.

“The equipment in hospitals is sick. There is no medicine. We want to improve health services and restore dignity in our communities.”

She also criticised the government’s inaction on the Acholi–Madi conflict, saying it “keeps coming, talking a little, then going away while people continue fighting.”

With a population of 240,814 people according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Amuru is one of the key districts in the Acholi sub-region.

In the 2021 general election, President Yoweri Museveni won Nwoya District with 18742 votes, followed by Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) with 7466 votes. The FDC candidate, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, received 3825 votes, and these were the highest in the sub-region according to the electoral commission.

On Saturday (Today), Nandala is expected to hold campaign rallies in Amuru and Oyam districts.