Voters set agenda for FDC's Mafabi ahead of Rupiny FM address

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As Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi prepares to address the Acholi and Lango sub-regions on Rupiny FM tonight, residents are setting clear expectations on what they want him to tackle.

From war recovery and youth unemployment to land conflicts and infrastructure, the people of northern Uganda say they want Mafabi to move beyond campaign rhetoric and offer tangible solutions to challenges that have persisted since the end of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency nearly two decades ago.

Residents across Acholi have voiced their expectations of the FDC presidential candidate if he wins the 2026 election on the first time of asking.

In Omoro district, elder Augustine Ojara Lacambel from Koro sub-county called for a stronger focus on effective service delivery aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. He expressed concern that many leaders have failed to adhere to the development blueprints, resulting in poor implementation and limited access to essential services.

“Leaders need to implement development programmes in line with national goals so that citizens can benefit directly,” said Ojara.

In Gulu city, resident Denis David Oceng urged the government to address growing insecurity in urban areas across Acholi.

Although Uganda currently enjoys relative peace, he said places such as Gulu city and Kitgum Municipality are still plagued by insecurity caused by idle youth, commonly referred to as Aguu.

“These groups are terrorising residents. We need deliberate government interventions to curb urban crime,” he said.

Education remains another major concern for many in the region. James Lango Patwoni, a teacher in Gulu city, called for renewed investment in quality education under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes.

He cited poor infrastructure, inadequate housing for teachers, and low pay as persistent barriers to better education outcomes.

“We also need vocational training to equip young people with practical skills for employment,” Lango added.

Patwoni further stressed the importance of improving road networks to enable farmers to transport produce efficiently to markets.

Simon Peter, the local FDC chairperson from Atiak sub-county, raised concerns over inflation, low pupil completion rates, and poor healthcare services. He urged the next government to regulate agricultural prices, improve healthcare delivery, and rehabilitate rural roads.

“A kilogramme of simsim [sesame] now sells for only sh3,000, yet farmers deserve at least sh10,000 to sustain their livelihoods,” he said, also speaking of his frustration with inadequate medical services at Atiak Health Centre IV, saying he personally struggled to access treatment for his child.

Beatrice Akello Victoria, a resident of Atiak town council in Amuru district, decried rampant corruption and poor infrastructure in the region. “Even when aid is sent from the government, local leaders often benefit the most, leaving ordinary people with very little."

She also appealed for the construction of a bridge over the River Ayugi, which connects Atiak to Adjumani district, and for improved access to clean water, which remains a major challenge for residents.

Former resident district commissioner (RDC) Sylvester Opira from Atiak called for stronger land protection policies to prevent the eviction of Acholi people from their ancestral land.

“The current land tenure systems should remain unchanged to allow individuals to continue owning land under customary practices,” he said.

Opira warned against the influx of Balaalo [nomadic] herders with livestock into Acholi, saying it stems from historical injustices and loss of cattle during the early years of the NRM government.

He also urged the next administration to focus on practical wealth creation, rather than what he termed "abstract wealth" that exists only on paper. “People need tangible support to build livelihoods, not theoretical wealth figures in documents."

Mafabi's radio address will come after his campaigning in Oyam and Omoro districts.