Soroti farmers plead for market as Nandala pledges new factories
He said the FDC government would prioritise agricultural value addition by constructing regional processing centres for oranges, cassava, and mangoes, while also improving roads, schools, and healthcare systems.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi dancing during a campaign rally held at Atumikiliok Trading Center in Abiya village, Dokolo Parish, Soroti District.( Photos by Alfred Ochwo)
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Farmers in Soroti district in the Teso sub-region have expressed frustration over the lack of market for their fruits as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi visited the area on Sunday, November 9, for his 42nd day on the presidential campaign trail.
Soroti became the 69th district on Nandala’s nationwide tour, coming a day after his rally in Soroti city that drew massive crowds. He was joined by FDC national president Patrick Oboi Amuriat and several party leaders, including Members of Parliament, local councillors and other officials, who welcomed him with chants and jubilation reminiscent of the previous day’s excitement.
The FDC convoy made stops at Ocokican trading centre in Ocokican subcounty, Osmiling trading centre in Aukot subcounty, and Atumukiliok trading centre in Gweri subcounty, where hundreds of supporters gathered to listen to Nandala’s message.
'Our oranges are rotting'
Faith Adege, a farmer from Gweri subcounty who attended the rally, described the desperate situation facing farmers in Teso.
“If you move around, you’ll see every tree with ripe oranges falling off, and no one is picking them. No one comes to buy. A sack of oranges that used to sell for sh90,000 now goes for only sh25,000. We are making losses every season,” Adege told New Vision.
Adege said the once-promising Soroti Fruit Factory, established by the government under the Uganda Development Corporation and producer of Teju Juice, no longer buys from local farmers.
“They claim our oranges are contaminated. They tell us to harvest only green ones, to register under Teju, and that the fruits must be big. Those are impossible guidelines. Meanwhile, they buy from Kenya. We feel abandoned, and the government is doing nothing, yet it promised us market,” she said.
Adege added that although the government has for years encouraged them to engage in commercial agriculture, many farmers now feel discouraged because of continued losses.
Moses Attan, the aspiring FDC Member of Parliament for Soroti City East, echoed Nandala’s promises, saying that an FDC-led government would stand with farmers rather than frustrate them.
“The government fruit factory no longer buys from local farmers, yet it imports oranges from Kenya. That’s why it keeps making losses. How can you say you only want green oranges? It makes no sense. Our FDC government will give farmers quality seeds, support them with irrigation, and create a fair market system. We are farmers too, so we understand their pain,” Attan said.
Beyond the factory problem, farmers also cited poor transport infrastructure as another major obstacle.
Isaac Echatu, a farmer from Aukot subcounty, said bad roads have worsened the situation by discouraging traders from buying oranges.
“When it rains, the roads become impassable. Even when someone wants to buy, they can’t reach us. We now look forward to the new railway. Once it’s operational, we shall get buyers from other towns who are not biased about our roads. For now, the government is a monopoly buyer, and they take us for granted,” he said.
Despite their struggles, the people of Soroti were visibly energised by Nandala’s visit. As the FDC candidate waved to the crowd from his open vehicle, chants of “FDC oyee” filled the air.
“We have lost so much because our oranges are wasting away. When Nandala says he will build more factories, at least we feel heard. Maybe next year will be different.”
Nandala’s pledge to farmers
Addressing the crowd, Nandala Mafabi criticised the government for setting up factories that do not serve farmers’ interests.
“The government’s Soroti Fruit Factory cannot even buy 10% of the fruits grown in this region. We are going to build more factories: fruit factories, starch factories, and agro-processing plants, so that farmers don’t beg for buyers. We shall industrialise Teso and ensure the farmer gets value for their sweat,” Nandala promised.
He said the FDC government would prioritise agricultural value addition by constructing regional processing centres for oranges, cassava, and mangoes, while also improving roads, schools, and healthcare systems.
Nandala also revisited the long-standing issue of cattle compensation, accusing President Museveni’s government of deceiving people with hollow promises.
“Museveni says he will give five cows to each family. Where will he get five million cows for Teso, Lango, and Acholi when he has failed for 40 years? These are empty promises meant to buy votes,” he told the cheering crowd.
The Teso region, once known for cotton as its main cash crop, later switched to oranges. Nandala told his supporters that this was a deliberate move to impoverish them, but his manifesto would restore cotton growing in the region.