FDC's Mafabi dreams of tribal unity, equal resource-sharing
After taking a brief two-day break from his nationwide tour, Mafabi returned to the campaign trail, emphasising unity and equity among Uganda’s diverse tribes.
Mafabi also addressed community concerns about the continued presence of balaalo (nomadic pastoralists) in the Acholi region, assuring voters that his administration would resolve the matter quickly. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)
Mafabi reiterated his commitment to creating a money economy in Acholi by supporting farmers and boosting trade. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)
Uniting all tribes in Uganda and equal sharing of resources is top of the agenda for 2026 General Election presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi.
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer Mafabi made the pledge while traversing Nwoya district, on the 32nd day of his 90-day campaign journey. The candidate started with mini rallies at Koch Goma town council and Koch Amar, where supporters welcomed him with excitement but also expressed frustration over how their region has lagged in development.
After taking a brief two-day break from his nationwide tour, Mafabi returned to the campaign trail, emphasising unity and equity among Uganda’s diverse tribes.
“We are one country, and we should not have borders between ourselves. My government will unite all tribes so that they work together, share resources equally and benefit from government programmes without leaving anyone out,” Mafabi told his supporters in Nwoya.
The Acholi sub-region continues to grapple with high poverty rates, child marriages, land grabbing, and other post-war challenges. Mafabi said addressing these issues will be top of his government’s agenda.
Post-war resettlement plan
He attributed the rampant poverty in northern Uganda to the Government’s failure to compensate victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, saying this neglect has entrenched suffering in the region.
“Everyone who lost land during the insurgencies will be compensated. We have a post-war resettlement plan, and it comes with money too. We know there are people in government who came here and stole your land. We will take it back and pay those who lost it,” Mafabi assured.
The LRA war, led by Joseph Kony, devastated the Acholi and Lango regions from 1987 to the mid-2000s, displacing thousands and leaving a deep social and economic scar. Between 1987 and 1994, the conflict intensified with child abductions and civilian attacks, reportedly fuelled by support from the then Sudanese government.
Mafabi reiterated his commitment to creating a money economy in Acholi by supporting farmers and boosting trade. He promised to construct local markets, especially in Nwoya, to enable residents to sell agricultural produce to tourists visiting nearby sites such as Queen Elizabeth National Park.
PDM alternative
“We want to replace the Parish Development Model with a Village Fund of shillings 100 million per village. We know you are farmers — that’s why we are reintroducing cooperative unions, so you can have stable markets and fair prices for your produce,” he said.
The FDC candidate further pledged to reorganise Uganda’s governance and economy within five years, after which, he said, Ugandans would be free to choose another person if dissatisfied.
Mafabi also addressed community concerns about the continued presence of balaalo (nomadic pastoralists) in the Acholi region, assuring voters that his administration would resolve the matter quickly.
“That will be a walkover. They know where they came from, and in my first month in office, they will go back,” he said.
He added that his government would compensate families with interest, taking into account the years they have waited for redress. Mafabi vowed to outlaw land grabbing and urged voters to vote for the key, the FDC party symbol, to ensure that mechanisms for returning stolen land to rightful owners are implemented.
What voters say
Before Mafabi’s address, FDC flag-bearer for the Nwoya East Member of Parliament seat, Moses Cankara, told the presidential hopeful that many residents still suffer from post-war trauma and economic uncertainty.
“We were in camps for many years. When we returned, our land had been taken. The Government promised to compensate us, but it’s been years of empty promises. Schools are far, children drop out, and many end up in child marriages,” Cankara said.
Mercy Akello, a mother of three, said: We are very poor. We can’t even buy salt for our homes. Our children marry young. We want the next president to protect our children. Hospitals have no medicines, and doctors are rarely available.
At Alero sub-county, Ajok Shamim shared her frustrations with the education and health systems.
“We don’t have drugs in the hospital. My children study at Alero Secondary School, a government-aided school, but this term they didn’t study because there are no teachers. Before the strike, the school charged PTA fees which many parents couldn’t afford,” she said.
Oloyo Jok Peter 24. We need skilling institutions because we cant concentrate on Agriculture. We as youth were not able to access PDM because they concentrated on older people and those they know to be supporting the NRM. The young people should have somewhere to get some money.
Nwoya district
With a population of 220,553 people, according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Nwoya is one of the key districts in the Acholi region.
In the 2021 general election, President Yoweri Museveni won Nwoya district with 13,910 votes, followed by Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) with 5,732 votes. FDC candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat got 809 votes.
Mafabi’s visit comes just weeks after the NRM presidential candidate and incumbent, President Museveni, campaigned in the same region, setting the stage for a fierce contest for the Acholi vote.