All political prisoners will walk to freedom, says presidential candidate Nandala

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer James Nathan Nandala Mafabi says once voted into power, his government will unconditionally release all political prisoners, including former party president Dr Kizza Besigye.

Besigye's continued detention has become a recurring concern for many voters on the campaign trail. The four-time presidential candidate and one of Uganda’s most prominent Opposition figures has now spent a year in detention alongside his aide, Obed Lutale, over treason-related charges. 

Nandala made the remarks on November 17, 2025, during a rally at Latoro trading centre in Got Apwoyo sub-county, Nwoya district, where a resident publicly questioned him on what he had done to secure Besigye’s freedom. 

Nandala addressing voters at his campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

FDC supporters at Nandala's campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

“What have you done for Besigye’s release, yet he was a prominent figure in your party?” the resident asked.

Nandala told the gathering that the entire FDC leadership and the country were unhappy about the prolonged detention and repeated court hearings.

“We are not happy with the continuous hearings against our former leader, but I want to assure you that an FDC government will not only free Besigye but all political prisoners unconditionally,” he said.

Nandala told supporters that no Ugandan should be in prison because of their political beliefs, adding that justice and due process would be restored if FDC forms the next government.

(Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

Before addressing the issue of political prisoners, Nandala had pledged to fence off the entire Murchison Falls National Park, an issue of great concern in Nwoya, where wild animals, especially elephants, frequently destroy farms.

Viola Aloyo appealed for a modern market to allow locals to tap into the economic benefits of tourists heading to Murchison Falls National Park.

“We see very many cars every day with tourists going to the park, but they cannot buy from our homes. We want a proper market. We are poor and need government programmes that truly benefit us,” she said.

The Government has already put in place various poverty alleviation initiatives over the years, with the latest being the Parish Development Model, where each parish receives shillings 100 million every financial year for residents to borrow shillings one million and repay as a revolving fund. Other initiatives include Emyooga, the Youth Livelihood Fund and the GROW project.

The human-wildlife conflict question

Ali Otema called for a lasting solution to land conflicts and wildlife incursions, urging the next government to fully fence Murchison Falls National Park.

“Wild animals attack us, sometimes killing people and destroying crops, yet there is no compensation. UWA keeps saying the land is theirs, even land our families have owned for generations,” he said.

Nandala reminded the crowd that Parliament passed a World Bank loan in 2022 to fully fence the park, yet the problem persisted, wondering where the money borrowed was utilised.

Nandala further criticised the government for failing to fix the Packwach–Karuma road, which is currently under rehabilitation despite the region contributing significant tourism revenue to the country.

He also promised increased funding to the tourism sector, with priority given to local communities.

“We understand your conflicts with wildlife. We will fully fence the whole park. My government will bring services closer and prioritise your welfare. People in Nwoya will not have to travel to Kampala for medical treatment. Give us five years and you will see a new country,” he said.

Making education accessible

Nandala reassured residents that an FDC government would make education accessible and restore the scholarship system that once benefited children from poor families.

“I attended government schools. In primary school, secondary school at Busoga College Mwiri and Makerere University, government-aided institutions which used to uplift children from poor backgrounds. Today, children of the rich are the ones benefitting from scholarships. My government will change this. Your children will be considered,” he said.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority is currently installing a solar-powered electric fence around the park. As of August 2025, 81 kilometres had been completed across Nwoya, Buliisa, Masindi and Kiryandongo districts.

Nandala’s rally in Nwoya marked his return to the Acholi sub-region after a six-day tour of West Nile. His convoy has covered 83 districts in 51 days, with 58 days remaining before the 2026 presidential elections.

In the 2021 elections, Nwoya District overwhelmingly voted for the ruling NRM, which collected 13,910 votes. Robert Kyagulanyi received 5,732 votes, DP’s Norbert Mao came third, while FDC’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat collected 809 votes.