Nandala promises free education to children of teachers in Karamoja

KARAMOJA - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi has pledged to introduce a special education programme aimed at uplifting the Karamoja sub-region, saying ignorance has long been the sub-region’s greatest challenge.

Promising to educate the children of teachers in Karamoja from primary to university level free of charge, Nandala said the initiative would motivate teachers to remain in schools and reduce the frequency of strikes.

“Education is key towards developing this region. Your schools have been underfunded and that’s why teachers have been striking, which has been affecting your children.

When you elect FDC and Nandala in power, we shall be providing free meals to all school-going children to facilitate their remaining in schools,” Nandala said.

Speaking to FDC supporters at Nakapelemoru trading centre in Kotido district on October 21, 2025, Nandala also pledged to establish industries in Moroto, Kotido and Abim districts to boost investment and create job opportunities for young people. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

“My program to make ‘Karamoja region the best in Uganda,’ shall provide free education to Karamoja region teachers as a form of incentives to entice teachers back to class again,” he added.

Nandala noted that repeated teacher strikes over poor pay deprive children of learning opportunities and said the next government must find a lasting solution.

His wider development plan for Karamoja includes establishing industries to create youth employment, introducing health and agricultural insurance schemes, distributing free seeds and pesticides, and constructing regional granaries in every district to combat hunger.

“We shall enrol the elderly fund of sh60,000 per month to benefit senior citizens who have contributed to the national building and prioritise Karamoja sub-region to uplift them to the required standards of other Ugandans,” he said.

“Our first program shall include tarmacking the road from Moroto to Kotido, Kaabong up to Karenga district because I share with you the pain of our roads with you,” Nandala insisted.

Speaking to FDC supporters at Nakapelemoru trading centre in Kotido district on October 21, 2025, Nandala also pledged to establish industries in Moroto, Kotido and Abim districts to boost investment and create job opportunities for young people.

He was welcomed by enthusiastic supporters who danced to kadodi music as they gathered in large crowds to hear his message of hope.

As part of his programme, Nandala said he would build valley dams to improve access to water for livestock and promote irrigation to turn Karamoja into Uganda’s food basket.

“We go to neighbouring districts to look for water for our animals and ourselves, and this has been our biggest challenge, stopping us from doing meaningful agriculture of both crop and livestock," John Bosco Ongor, a resident, said.

Hunger has caused insecurity in the region due to the fact that we receive insufficient rains every year, he added.

Nandala to address drug stockouts

Responding to concerns raised by voter Rosemary Iko, who asked him to address persistent drug shortages at Nakapirimoru Health Centre III, Nandala promised to fight corruption and boost healthcare funding.

“Uganda loses over sh10 trillion to corruption every year, and that’s why FDC designed a master plan to tackle corruption in the government. Vote Nandala to fix the economy of this country, which has been stuck for the last 30 years,” he said.

FDC president Patrick Amuriat Oboi said Karamoja’s development had been hindered by decades of neglect and marginalisation, adding that the region’s remoteness and poor infrastructure had limited access to its resources.

“Despite its rich natural resources, Karamoja remains one of Uganda’s poorest regions, with over 61% of its 1.2 million people living in poverty with significant challenges including food insecurity, illiteracy and violence,” he said.

Charles Aleu, a resident of Kotido Municipality, said the region’s slow progress was largely due to inadequate water supply, unreliable rainfall, and poor road networks.

“We have one health centre around here that is owned by the government, but the Church of Uganda constructed for us a health centre which has been acting as our referral in case there are drug stockouts,” Aleu emphasised.

Joshua Okello, a lorry driver stranded for two days in Matheniko Game Reserve in Kotido district with his vehicle registration number UBG 955S, appealed to the government to tarmac feeder roads to ease the transportation of agricultural produce.

“This timber is heading to Kabong district, but we have been stuck for fire days since we left Kapchorwa due to poor roads in the area,” he lamented.