Busoga to benefit from sugarcane regulation, affordable electricity — Nandala

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Once voted into power, presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has promised sweeping reforms in the sugarcane industry, the electricity sector and household incomes.

The pledge by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer comes after residents of Kaliro and Luuka districts expressed deep frustration with poverty, unemployment and a lack of social services.

Addressing crowds at Bulumba town council, Namwiwa trading centre, Kasokwe sub-county and later in Kaliro town on November 24, 2025, Nandala said Busoga region, once a powerhouse of Uganda’s agricultural economy, has been reduced to poverty due to what he described as deliberate government neglect.

FDC Presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi addressing the voters gathered for his campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

The loudest outcry, he added, came from sugarcane farmers who accused millers and middlemen of exploiting them through extremely low prices, leaving entire communities trapped in debt and deepening deprivation.

“It is heartbreaking that people in Busoga grow sugarcane, but the prices remain extremely low. Sugar is very expensive in shops, but the farmers who grow the cane cannot even afford a kilo for their own tea. This must end.” Nandala said.

He said his government would introduce strict regulation of the sugarcane sector, including price controls and mandatory establishment of value-addition factories. This, he said, would ensure fair pay for farmers and increase the region’s wealth instead of exporting raw cane profits to investors.

Kaliro and Luuka are one of the poorest districts in Busoga, struggling with poor dusty roads, poor-quality schools, and limited access to clean water. Residents complained about alleged selling of government jobs, especially in the education sector, leaving classrooms understaffed and children underperforming.

To work with Busoga leaders

Nandala called the situation a failure of leadership.

“Instead of constructing roads for you, Museveni is constructing them in DRC. Instead of giving you electricity, he takes it to other countries. That is not love,” he said.

He promised to reduce electricity tariffs and expand access to what he called true rural electrification. According to him, stable and affordable electricity is the backbone of industrialisation and improved household welfare.

“We shall have electricity in all our homes and it will be stable without going off. Electricity is not a luxury, it is a right. My government will make it affordable for every family.” he declared.

Nandala promised to work with all friends of Busoga region including EAC minister Rebecca Kadaga who he cautioned to join the change because what recently happened to her.

According to Nandala, his manifesto outlines a plan for free education up to university level. He said this would lift thousands of vulnerable learners out of poverty and help the country produce a skilled workforce capable of transforming the economy.

For teachers from Busoga, he promised better pay, free government housing and free education for teachers’ children up to university.

“Our teachers are going to be looked after very well,” he said. “A teacher’s child should not suffer. My government will treat teachers with dignity.”

The health system

The FDC flag-bearer criticised the current state of Uganda’s health system, which, according to him, often forces patients to seek treatment abroad at enormous cost. He pledged to fully equip hospitals across the country.

“We shall put all the required equipment and drugs,” he said. “No one will be referred abroad for treatment. Uganda has capable doctors, we only need to give them the tools.”

The unemployment question

In a region where unemployment is high, Nandala issued a series of proposals designed to cushion vulnerable households and stimulate local enterprise.

“Young people should not be slaves to moneylenders,” he added. “They have put a straw in us and are draining our hard-earned money.”

Nandala said his government would give seed capital to all small businesses and only require taxes once those enterprises had stabilised.

“I have come to fight and put down the high taxes you are suffering,” he told supporters. 

“The Government is wasting your taxes advertising Museveni with T-shirts, posters and billboards.” New Vision Online could not however independently verify Nandala's claims.

He criticised what he called the politicisation of state institutions highlighting that if it wasn’t that way, all political prisoners would be out of jails and this is top on his agenda

“At the moment, I am not the owner of prisons in Uganda. It is President Museveni,” he said. “When I take power, Dr Kizza Besigye will be released.”

Nandala concluded his Busoga mini-visit by urging residents of Kaliro and Luuka to embrace change and demand leadership that prioritises their wellbeing. He insisted that with proper regulation of the sugarcane industry, stable electricity, fair taxation, and social welfare, Busoga could rise again.

“Give me an opportunity to be president and I will make Uganda a better country for all of us to enjoy. Busoga deserves prosperity not poverty.” he said.

Before making the promises, the FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat noted that as a party, they have training their agents to help them counter track vote rigging.

"We are preparing to train our leaders who will also be speaking to the local communities. It has already started in some parts of the country where we are strong and confident about our support. We are going to be training our leaders to be able to send the results to the polling station." Amuriat said

Voices from People

FDC flag-bearer for the Kaliro District Woman MP seat, Sarah Juliet Nanyanzi, asked the presidential hopeful to focus on road construction because the district has a handful.

Joshua Wameli said sugar prices are very low and even to us who offer casual labour, the price of shillings 3000 per day is very small. We need laws that protect us from exploitation.