Nandala Mafabi Pledges Economic Reforms and Anti-Corruption Drive During Butebo Campaign

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party presidential candidate, Nandala Mafabi James, on Friday held a series of campaign rallies across Butebo District, calling for economic revitalisation, anti-corruption reforms, and agricultural empowerment.

Mafabi entered Butebo District at around 12:48 p.m. from Kamonkoli, Budaka District, traveling via Migiti–Nasenyi Road before making his first stopover at Kabwangasi Subcounty, where he addressed local residents. He was accompanied by the FDC National Chairman, Patrick Amuriat Oboi, among other party leaders.

Initially scheduled to hold a major rally at Kakoro Market Grounds in Kakoro Subcounty, Mafabi adjusted his campaign route after realizing the turnout at the venue was low. He instead opted to make multiple brief stopovers at various trading centers along the way to engage directly with the public.

His stops included Kabwangasi Town, Kakoro Subcounty, Puti Trading Centre (Puti Subcounty), Kakoro Town Council (where he officially opened an FDC office), Kanginima Town Council, Kabelai Trading Centre, Butebo Town (where he inaugurated the district FDC office), and Kapunyasi Subcounty’s Nasureta Trading Centre.

At Kakoro Market Grounds, where he spent about 20 minutes addressing approximately 50 people, mainly youth, Mafabi emphasized the need for leadership that prioritizes ordinary citizens over political elites.

In his speeches across the district, the FDC presidential candidate made several key pledges: To revive Uganda’s economy by ensuring citizens have “money in their pockets”, to reduce poverty through agricultural modernization and equitable resource distribution, to eliminate salary disparities in the teaching profession, improve road infrastructure across Butebo and other rural districts, to tackle corruption, which he claimed costs Uganda “over 100 trillion shillings annually,” and redirect those funds to infrastructure and public services, offer affordable loans to boda boda riders, with motorcycles priced at UGX 2 million, payable over five years, support small businesses through tax waivers and access to low-interest government loans, revive cooperative and agricultural banks to boost rural financing, to introduce a monthly stipend of UGX 60,000 for all Ugandans aged 60 and above, and to restore cotton and cassava farming as key cash crops for rural development.

Mafabi also stressed that Uganda needs “new ideas, new leaders, and new energy,” adding that the current government had “run out of vision.” He noted that he has previously advised several East African governments on economic strategy and believes Uganda now needs change to achieve similar progress.

The FDC leader exited Butebo District at about 4:50 p.m. via the Butebo–Akadot–Pallisa Road after completing his rallies peacefully.

According to ASP Kyempasa Wilfred, the Bukedi North Regional Police spokesperson, no serious incidents were reported during the day’s events. However, he noted that Mafabi “was defiant” and “did not follow the agreed campaign roadmap” that had been coordinated between his team and the Butebo District security committee.