Mayuge, Uganda: Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi on Tuesday accused the ruling NRM government of “forty years of empty promises,” urging residents of Busoga to vote for change and embrace what he described as an economic recovery plan anchored in accountability and equitable development.
Campaigning in Wandago and Magamaga trading centres along the Jinja–Iganga highway, Mafabi was received by crowds dancing to kadodi rhythms before addressing multiple rallies across Mayuge District.
The Budadiri West legislator criticised the government for presiding over entrenched poverty in Busoga despite its long stay in power. “When the President visited last week, he acknowledged poverty in Busoga, but he has led this nation for 40 years. What doesn’t he know?” Mafabi asked.
He condemned what he called “cosmetic politics”, arguing that distributing branded T-shirts and erecting billboards cannot replace genuine service delivery. “How can someone who has been in power for four decades bring a lorry of T-shirts and billboards when people want jobs, markets and functioning services?” he said.
Reviving Busoga’s Economy
Mafabi outlined his plans to revitalise Busoga’s economy, promising to revive the defunct Busoga Growers Cooperative and restore alternative cash crops to reduce overreliance on sugarcane.
He said sugarcane had trapped many farmers in low-income cycles due to restrictive policies and unstable factory prices. “Cotton was Busoga’s main cash crop. Namulesa Ginnery was the biggest in the country. Government replaced it with sugarcane, yet farmers need permits even to harvest,” he said.
“In a new government, Busoga will grow cotton or coffee. We shall also provide solutions for storing sugarcane until the market stabilises.”
Mafabi further criticised the proliferation of high-interest moneylenders, alleging that government inaction had exposed vulnerable Ugandans to predatory lending. “The majority of moneylenders are from Ankole, from West Nile to Tororo and everywhere. This has been by design to impoverish people. That will stop under our government,” he said.
Failed Government Programs
Mafabi told residents that programs like Entandikwa, Bonna Bagaggawale, NAADs, Emyooga, Operation Wealth Creation and the Parish Development Model had failed to lift Busoga out of poverty.
“Since 1996, these programs have come one after another. Has Busoga escaped poverty? No. They were meant to hoodwink people,” he said.
He urged Ugandans to rally behind his candidature, saying the FDC’s blueprint offered what he called “the country’s best manifesto.”
Nandala Mafabi is today expected to continue his campaign in Nakasongola and Luwero as he moves into the Greater Luweero sub-region.
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