📸 Nandala offers hope for Kasokoso residents in long-running land row

KAMPALA - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has pledged safety, justice and renewed hope to residents of Kasokoso, who have lived under the threat of eviction for years due to a long-standing land dispute with the National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC).

Addressing residents during his campaign tour of Nakawa Division on November 29, 2025, in Kampala city, Nandala said no Ugandan should be displaced from land they have occupied for more than two decades.

He added that any relocation, if ever deemed necessary, must follow fair and satisfactory compensation for all affected households.

Nandala reminded residents that the law protects long-term occupants from forceful eviction and criticised the government for failing to uphold that principle. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

He reminded residents that the law protects long-term occupants from forceful eviction and criticised the government for failing to uphold that principle.

“Even the law says no Ugandan is supposed to be evicted from land they have lived on for decades. Why should the government itself break that law? Under my government, we will focus on helping you secure land titles rather than pushing you out.” Nandala promised.

Kasokoso, one of Kampala’s most densely populated informal settlements, has been embroiled in a land battle involving NHCC, the Uganda Police and private individuals since 2011.

The disputed land measures between 258 and 292.6 acres and is home to between 80,000 and more than 100,000 residents. At least 30,000 of them are believed to be living in constant fear of eviction.

The conflict remains unresolved. In July 2025, President Yoweri Museveni met with residents and promised to study the matter and provide a solution within six weeks, but tensions have persisted.

During his Nakawa Division tour, which included stopovers in Kirombe, Port Bell, Naguru, Kasokoso, Bukoto and Nakawa, businesses paused as crowds waved and chanted in support.

Residents raised concerns about poor drainage, deteriorating roads and widespread unemployment.

“We are regarded as people of the ghetto and slums, and government has since neglected us. We pay the same taxes as those in Kololo and Muyenga because we buy the same products. In Kampala, Kasokoso remains untarmacked, dusty and no plan to rehabilitate it. We have no jobs, and even the electricity is ever off. We believe this is deliberate from governmemt,” Nusura Jane Mbabazi from Kasokoso told New Vision.

Nandala pledged broad economic reforms centred on community upliftment and sustainable employment.

He criticised government policies that favour foreign investors through tax holidays and incentives, arguing that these have undermined local business growth and widened inequality.

“Our economy is 45% dominated by foreigners, and the majority of them are not paying taxes. Yet every Ugandan, including babies, is paying taxes. We cannot claim our economy is growing when locals are being pushed out of business. We must tax everyone fairly and stop these imbalances,” he said.

He also promised to ensure universal access to affordable electricity, noting that high tariffs remain a major barrier for small-scale entrepreneurs.

At Port Bell in Luzira, Nandala shifted focus to Lake Victoria, vowing to restore public access and revive its economic potential.

He criticised the heavy military presence on the lake, saying it has restricted citizens’ access to a natural resource that should support livelihoods.

“We know you have no access to our own lake—this is unacceptable,” he said. “In my government and manifesto, we must give you back the lake so you can make a living from it. The army will be withdrawn and replaced with local management committees under a Lake Management Committee framework,” he promised.

Nandala concluded by assuring residents across Nakawa Division that an FDC government would prioritise fairness, restore dignity for communities living under threat and strengthen local participation in the economy.

Voices from the people

FDC’s Member of Parliament for Nansana Municipality flag bearer, Hamisi Musoke Walusimbi, said his leadership would focus on restoring accountability and improving service delivery in one of Uganda’s fastest-growing urban areas. 

He pledged to tackle corruption at the municipal level, strengthen community-driven development and upgrade critical infrastructure such as roads, drainage systems and waste management.

“Nansana deserves leaders who deliver, not leaders who disappear after elections. My first priority is to clean up our municipal systems and make every shilling spent visible to the people.” Walusimbi said.

He added that the municipality’s youthful population requires targeted interventions, including vocational programmes and access to start-up financing.

“We cannot keep complaining about unemployment when we have not invested in our young people. Under my leadership, youth and women will have real opportunities, not empty promises.”

In Butabika Parish, Daniella Leru, the FDC LC3 woman councillor flag bearer, pledged to promote social welfare, protect women’s rights and ensure inclusive representation.

She promised to fight exploitation in informal settlements, support access to clean water and advocate for improved maternal and child health services.

“Women in Butabika carry the heaviest burden, feeding families, caring for children, and struggling with poor services. I am standing to be their voice, because development must start where families begin.” Leru said.

She also committed to strengthening local security committees and expanding community-based policing.

For Nakawa West, parliamentary aspirant Wilberforce Kyambadde pledged to champion economic empowerment, fight land grabbing and push for transparent urban reforms.

He vowed to introduce legislation that protects residents from exploitation by state agencies and private developers.

“We must build an economy where Ugandans can compete. We will support start-ups, simplify taxes, and make Nakawa the centre of innovation in Kampala.” Kyambadde promised.