Road woes, demands for city status greet Nandala in Butebo and Pallisa
Speaking during Mafabi’s campaign stop at Butebo Town Council on October 17, residents complained that the area’s poor road infrastructure has crippled trade and prevented farmers from accessing buyers.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential aspirant Nandala Mafabi addressing his supporters at Butebo Town Council on October 17. (Photos by Alfred Ochwo)
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Voters in Butebo district have appealed to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi to prioritise road rehabilitation if he becomes president, saying poor road networks have left them isolated from markets and essential services.
Speaking during Mafabi’s campaign stop at Butebo Town Council on October 17, residents complained that the area’s poor road infrastructure has crippled trade and prevented farmers from accessing buyers.
“Our biggest problem is the roads,” Grace Okou, a resident, said.
“We grow food, but cannot transport it to markets because of impassable roads. We ask Nandala to help us once he becomes president.”
This concern was echoed by residents of Bunyekero cell, Kabeangasi parish in Butebo, where New Vision observed that most roads across the district, except the main highway, remain untarmacked.
In response, Mafabi pledged to make infrastructure development a top priority in his government, promising to open and maintain district roads to ease the movement of goods and services.
“I have heard your concerns,” Mafabi said. “In my government, every district will have well-maintained roads so that farmers can take their produce to markets and children can easily go to school. Development cannot happen when roads are in a terrible state.”
Pallisa pushes for city status
Later in the day, as Mafabi moved to Pallisa district, local leaders and residents demanded that Pallisa be elevated to city status under his administration, arguing that the district has grown in population and economic activity.
“We want to become a city in your government,” Geofrey Zomu, a local leader, told Mafabi.
“We have the infrastructure, the population, and the potential. What we lack is recognition from the central government.”
Mafabi said his government would decentralise development and support districts that meet the requirements for city status.
“We shall not politicise development,” Mafabi said. “Any district that qualifies will be supported to become a city. Uganda must grow evenly, not only in certain regions.”
He criticised the current government for what he described as selective development, saying that even newly created cities have not received adequate funding and remain in poor condition.
“Even the districts that were made cities, nothing changed. In my government, a city will be well planned, funded and will be on an international level. A city will benefit its people, not its leaders, just like it is now,” Mafabi noted.
As of Friday, October 17, Mafabi had spent 19 consecutive days on the campaign trail since launching his presidential bid on September 29, making him the only candidate who has not taken a break. He has so far traversed 37 districts across Uganda.
“I am moving across the country to meet the people and understand their problems,” Mafabi said. “Our campaign is about the people, not money or drama.”