Nandala pledges to end poverty, inter-tribal raids in Karamoja

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The FDC presidential flag-bearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi says he is the only presidential candidate who genuinely cares about the development of Karamoja region.

Nandala made the remarks on Monday, October 20, 2025, while addressing Karamoja residents during a campaign rally at Okudud village, Moruru Ajore parish, Kawasi sub-county in Nakapiripirit district emphasising the Forum for Democratic Change's (FDC) commitment on transforming the region from abject poverty and underdevelopment.

“Karamoja has been a region left behind with an old adage: We shall not wait for Karamoja to develop. I’m the only one who loves Karamoja enough to develop it,” he said.

This shall be history under my government. I am your own and that’s why I am often referred to as, “Lokiru.” That’s why I have invested in your region with a lot of businesses to give your children jobs because I want to develop Karamoja region with its people,” Nandala said.

As a result of under development, you have continued to take dirty water like cows because the NRM government has neglected and taken you for granted for the gullible support you have shown for decades.

“Poverty and hunger shall be history under my government. That’s why I have given you my land to resettle you in Namataba because many were insecure and hungry when the government was watching,” he emphasised.

Mafabi added that minerals are stolen from Karamoja every year and you lack enough health centres to get the necessary medical care.

However, it should be noted that there have been several government-led initiatives in Karamoja focusing on peace, development, and security, with recent plans including large-scale infrastructure like dams and roads, agricultural support such as the "Karamoja Feeds Karamoja" programme, and economic empowerment through programmes like the Karachuna associations which provide financial assistance to reformed ex-cattle rustlers.

Other efforts include the Karamoja Integrated Disarmament and Development Programme, which co-ordinates various interventions, the third Karamoja Integrated Development Plan (KIDP3) covering the period 2021/22 to 2025/26, is a holistic and integrated medium-term development and initiatives to improve social services such as education and healthcare. There have also been partners-led initiatives like the school feeding programme

Value addition approaches

At Chepsikunya town council in Kween district, Nandala opened the FDC offices pledging to uplift rice farmers with value addition approaches.

“I shall empower you with rice huller machines to make you add value to locally grown rice. It is a shame to find that a country known for agriculture with fertile lands and referred to as a pearl of Africa can rely on rice imports from Tanzania, Pakistan and Kenya,” he insisted.

"I will eliminate taxes on rice exportation to open the market for your home-grown rice in the eastern part of Uganda to other regions and countries."

Ending inter-border raids

Nandala pledged to end inter-border raids with the Itesots, the Langi and the Acholi people which he said have caused loss of lives, poverty and hunger.

“I shall inject shillings 500 million per village per year for you to use in economic projects and change your source of livelihoods from traditional setting to the money economy,” he noted.

Nandala pledged to invest in roads, bridges, and energy projects to connect the region to the rest of Uganda.

“With FDC in power, we shall support farmers with modern equipment, seeds and markets to boost agricultural production,” he disclosed.

We shall upgrade healthcare facilities and recruit more medical professionals to address the region’s health challenges.

A region left behind

Karamoja, located in northern Uganda has long been one of the county’s most underdeveloped regions. Despite being rich in natural resources including gold, oil and fertile lands, Karamoja has struggled with poverty, insecurity and lack of infrastructure.

The NRM government has been criticised for neglecting the region with many residents allegedly feeling marginalised and excluded from national development plans.

“What you see is Namalu-Nakapiripirit-Moroto highway but feeder roads are in dire state. We lack nearby schools and our children are forced to move for long distances to attain education. We lack boreholes and the region is suffering without clean water,” Christine Kaladi, a Nalait B village resident, said.