2026 polls: Nandala promises to uplift Busoga out of poverty
The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has pledged to address Busoga Region ’s chronicle problems once elected President during next year ‘s general elections .
Nandala, who was campaigning in Iganga District , accused the ruling NRM government under President Museveni of protecting corrupt officials and embezzlers of taxpayers’ money, which he said has crippled essential sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“Give me an opportunity and I will use my wisdom to rebuild the economy. I know where the money stolen by them is, and I promise to retrieve it and invest it in productive things. At least Shs10 trillion is stolen annually from local to central government. I want to switch this money to benefit our people,” Nandala told supporters.
The FDC flag bearer, who was accompanied by party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi, traversed Namungalwe, Nawandala, and Nabitende sub-counties before addressing a rally at Iganga Railway grounds.
He pledged to inject Shs100 million in every village annually to boost household incomes, insisting that his focus would be on village development rather than the government’s much touted Parish Development Model.
On service delivery, Nandala promised to upgrade government health facilities, citing Iganga General Hospital at Nakavule, which he said serves patients from across Eastern Uganda and should be elevated to referral status. He vowed to end “medical tourism” by equipping hospitals with drugs and equipment so that Ugandans receive world-class treatment at home.
He further promised to establish an industrial park in Iganga, improve sugarcane prices for farmers, and support university graduates with Shs1 million each to boost their livelihoods. Drawing from his experience working with the World Bank, he said he had already shared economic expertise with countries such as Tanzania, India, and Ghana and was ready to apply the same to Uganda.
FDC president Patrick Amuriat Oboi rallied the crowd to back Nandala as the “most qualified candidate,” warning that Uganda’s greatest problem was not Museveni personally but his prolonged stay in power.
“Nandala is a teacher, lawyer, farmer, and accomplished businessman. He is the right candidate to lead this country. Our only problem with Museveni is overstaying in power while mismanaging Uganda’s progress,” Amuriat said.
The rally also saw several defections, including former NUP Kigulu South parliamentary flag bearer Mr. Kagyerero Ronald, who crossed to FDC, citing disillusionment with NUP’s political direction. His defection comes after NUP handed its Kigulu South flag for 2026 to former MP Hon. Andrew Kiiza Kaluya.
National Unity Platform Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi is also crisscrossing villages in Busoga ,drumming up support to take the presidency