FDC's Nandala promises better pay for Busoga sugarcane growers

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The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag bearer, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has promised to improve pay for sugarcane farmers in the Busoga sub-region if elected to the highest office in Uganda.

On his third successive day on the campaign trail, Nandala set off from his home in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe district, at around 11am on Wednesday and made a grand entry into Busoga through Iganga district at 12:30pm.

Escorted by a convoy of over 50 vehicles, the FDC frontrunner was joined by fellow party leaders from Iganga, bumping up the convoy to roughly 100 vehicles, including the official security detail.

Along the way, he held mini-rallies in Namungalwe, Nawandala, and Nabitende, where he told residents (including supporters) that he is a son of the land, having studied at Busoga College Mwiri. He said that schooling experience gave him deep insight into the struggles of the Busoga sub-region, particularly among sugarcane farmers.

“I am your son. No one from the east understands our problems better than I do,” he told the crowds.

Nandala Mafabi addressing voters at a rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

Voters listening to Nandala Mafabi at the rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

“Once elected, I will ensure that the price of sugarcane is raised so that you can earn more. I will empower farmers and also give the sugarcanes value like other cash crops. I am a Musoga from Bugisu, and the wisdom I have today was shaped here at Mwiri.”

Currently, sugarcane is purchased from farmers at between sh90,000 to sh120,000 per tonne, a price Nandala called exploitative, especially given that the crop takes over three years to mature.

Drawing on his ties to the region, Nandala also pledged to revamp Busoga’s struggling education system. He said the region would benefit greatly from the 87,000 classrooms he intends to construct nationwide if voted into power.

“I am going to improve roads. My manifesto includes 17,000 kilometres of tarmacked roads. Busoga will reap big. Our own Busoga University will be restructured, and teachers will no longer be divided over salaries."

During a mini rally in Namungalwe, Nandala allowed questions. One voter asked what he would do about Uganda's bloated Parliament.

“I only need two Members of Parliament per district; one man and one woman. I will restore presidential term limits and reduce the powers of the presidency because the president is meant to serve the people. These measures will help cut the country’s high administrative costs,” he responded.

He also reminded Busoga of its former glory, both politically and economically, lamenting the collapse of industries in Jinja that once drove regional prosperity.

Nandala Mafabi addressing supporters at the rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

Sowedi Maganda, the Deputy Speaker of Iganga district and a mayoral aspirant, told Nandala that the district’s health sector is in crisis due to a lack of essential drugs and medical supplies in hospitals.

Maganda praised Nandala’s leadership track record, saying, “he has over 25 years of leadership experience and has lived like an ordinary person. He understands our struggles".

Derrick Mukakanya, the FDC parliamentary aspirant for Kigulu North, urged Nandala to empower farmers, especially those in the sugarcane and coffee sectors.

“We want him to teach our people how to profit from coffee farming because he is one of the best farmers in East Africa. We also want him to triple the price of sugarcane to at least sh400,000 per tonne. These sugar factories are exploiting farmers. And we want him to empower young people,” Mukakanya told New Vision.

Unlike the first two days of his campaign in Buikwe and Buvuma, respectively, security was intensified on day three, with two district police patrols on the ground alongside more than 50 members of the FDC’s private security team.

Nandala was expected to cap off the day with a major rally in Iganga Municipality.