📷 Nandala pledges power solution for Obongi voters

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On his second day of campaigns in the West Nile region, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer James Nathan Nandala Mafabi promised Obongi district residents reliable and stable electricity once elected President.

Nandala and his convoy arrived in Obongi after crossing the River Nile aboard MV Obongi, a government free-of charge ferry linking Obongi and Sinyanya landing sites in a three-hour journey.

The 150-passenger ferry, with limited space for vehicles, forced Nandala’s campaign team to split into two groups, a delay he said illustrated the region’s longstanding neglect in infrastructure and energy development.

“We were delayed because the ferry could not take all of us at once. This is the daily experience of the people here. How do you expect business to grow or services to improve when you can’t even cross the river in time? This must change,” Nandala told his supporters after docking at Obongi landing site.

The presidential hopeful was given what was called a marine guard of honour, where small fishing boats full of FDC supporters waving flags and shouting escorted the ferry on which he was. These were joined by a multitude of supporters who were waiting for him at the landing site.

Unlike in the past rallies, which had many FDC leaders and aspiring Member of Parliament on the trail, Nandala only had Kaps Hassan Fungaroo, the FDC ticket aspiring MP for Obongi county, with him.

Nandala outlined his power and economic revival plan for the region, pledging to connect the entire Obongi district to the national electricity grid and promote solar energy for off-grid communities.

“West Nile particularly has suffered without electricity for too long. When we form government, we shall bring reliable power to every home and trading centre. Without power, industries cannot run, farmers cannot process their produce, and hospitals cannot serve effectively, and we want to bring economic empowerment and poverty eradication programmes, many of these require electricity, we must and will fix this quickly in my government,” Nandala told his supporters at Obongi trading centre.

The FDC flag bearer said it's unfortunate that the nearby district of Moyo is connected to the national grid but not Obongi. According to Nandala, access to electricity would be central to his government’s plan for economic empowerment and industrial growth, noting that several rivers and sunlight in the region remain untapped for power generation.

“We have electricity in surplus, why should Ugandans be in darkness after 40 years. Power should not only be in places, it should be 100% stable without getting off,” he noted.

White gold returns

Nandala pledged to revive cotton growing, describing it as a sleeping treasure that once powered livelihoods in the region.

“Cotton is white gold. Your leaders abandoned it, leaving farmers in poverty. We shall restore cotton farming by providing seeds, equipment, and guaranteed markets. Our people must earn from their land again,” he told his supporters.

Justine Adiru, a 46-year-old farmer, said the district’s fortunes collapsed when cotton production was abandoned since the entire region was a thriving cotton belt in the 1970s.

She, however, said that although the Government has never officially banned cotton farming, there were no initiatives to promote its growth like looking for market, stable prices and many other factors, which led the entire region to abandon it completely.

“Our parents used to grow cotton, and life was better. When the government stopped supporting it, many of us turned to small-scale cassava, sim sim and maize farming, which brings very little. If Nandala brings back cotton, we shall support him.”

Godfrey Vulega, a shopkeeper from Obongi Town, said access to electricity would transform their small businesses.

“We use solar power here, but fridges do not use such energy. We can't do stable business here without power, and what is more hurting is that our neighbours in Moyo, a walkable distance, have hydropower. We ask ourselves what we did to the government. For three presidential terms, this has been a promise to us and now we are tired of people using it to bribe our minds,” he said.

Nandala, an economist and long-serving Budadiri West MP (25 years), criticised what he called empty claims of economic growth made by the current government.

He said Uganda’s economy cannot be said to be growing when citizens cannot afford basic necessities.

“The President says the economy is growing fast, but where is it growing? If the Indians, Chinese and foreigners are the ones building wealth, then that growth is not for Ugandans. Our people are still hungry, unemployed, and struggling to even find a meal.”

He promised a new economic model that puts money directly into the hands of citizens through agricultural cooperatives, access to affordable credit, and tax reforms targeting small and medium enterprises.

“We want an economy where a farmer, trader, and teacher can see the difference in their pocket. We shall cut unnecessary tax exemptions for foreign investors and use that money to support Ugandan businesses,” he explained his plans to his supporters.

Nandala promised to prioritise infrastructure, fair compensation for war victims, and an inclusive economy that ensures no region is left behind.

“The people of West Nile have waited for decades for change. Nobody wrote anywhere that Obongi should remain poor. You have fertile land, water and hard-working people; all you need is leadership that cares.”

Obongi and Buvuma fully rely on solar power. However, during his recent campaign allies in the region, President Museveni said the Government has finalised plans to connect it fully. The President's promise was re-echoed by Prime Minister Robina Nabanja, who said there were still some gaps, but they would soon be fixed.

After traversing Moyo and Obongi district, Nandala and the FDC camp will take the presidential campaign trail to Yumbe and Koboko districts today, November 12, as he looks to be Uganda’s next commander in chief.