Nandala wins over NUP supporters as Namayingo leaders decry poor funding

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag bearer James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, on Saturday, October 18, continued to seek support in eastern Uganda as his campaign entered day 20, taking his message of fixing the economy to Namayingo and Bugiri districts.

Mafabi, who began his mini rallies at Nsoga-Bukooli and Syanyonja in Buhemba sub-county, struck a chord with residents by addressing the region’s long-standing poverty and governance challenges. The rallies also saw several National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters cross over to FDC, citing better organisation and stronger grassroots structures.

“I have been a NUP supporter, but I have switched to FDC because they are organised. What Nandala has said shows he can lead this country. He has a plan,” said Isaac Weguli, one of the new converts.

He blamed persistent poverty in eastern Uganda on government neglect, saying it was the reason behind the region’s high teenage pregnancy rates and school dropouts. He linked early marriages to the lack of educational opportunities, urging parents to prioritise keeping their children in school.

“The government has made life hard by increasing taxes on everything. My government will lower taxes to make life affordable and ensure people have money in their pockets,” Mafabi told supporters.

At a rally in Namayingo town council, local leaders appealed to Mafabi to prioritise increasing local government funding if he becomes president.

“When you get into power, please increase budget allocations for local governments. The annual budget for Namayingo and many other rural districts is equivalent to the salary of one MP for just one month, yet districts in central Uganda receive huge sums,” said Johnson Bwire, the FDC aspiring mayor and councillor at Namayingo district.

In response, Mafabi pledged to empower local governments with adequate funding to handle their districts’ challenges independently.

“We will give more power and resources to local governments because they understand the people’s needs better,” he said.

Mafabi, who has represented Budadiri West County in Parliament for 25 years, continues to employ his grassroots mobilisation strategy, moving from village to village to connect directly with ordinary citizens.

After Namayingo and Bugiri, the FDC campaign team will hold rallies in Namutumba and Bugweri districts on Sunday, October 19, as part of the ongoing tour of eastern Uganda on day 21 of the presidential campaigns.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2024), Namayingo district has a population of 266,716 people. Mafabi said such numbers could play a decisive role in determining Uganda’s next president, especially if the region, often described as “forgotten”, turns up in large numbers to vote.