Presidential candidate Nandala asks Bukedea to guard his victory peacefully

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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has urged voters in Bukedea district to protect their ballots peacefully and firmly in the 2026 General Election.

He says the sub-region has both the numbers and the resolve to shape Uganda’s next political transition.

Addressing seven rallies across Bukedea on December 6, 2025, Nandala said the people of Teso have endured years of broken promises, deepened poverty and collapsing local services, issues he believes will motivate them to vote overwhelmingly for change.

He emphasised that after voting, citizens must remain vigilant to ensure that their will is respected.

“You are my agents. Protect your vote peacefully. Do not fight, do not abuse anyone, we came in the election not to fight or wage war with anyone because we know we can attain a peaceful transition as a country. Just keep watch. The anger you carry because of poverty and lack of services is enough to guard that ballot,” Nandala told his supporters.

No one will influence the results here and across, everywhere we have gone, we have been welcomed with open arms, with many calling me their own “owaife”. We ask them to be our agents, let them go and vote overwhelmingly, no one will rig our victory,” he told journalists while campaigning in Bukedea.

Economic transition

Nandala said Bukedea needs a full economic transition, starting with restoring the traditional cash crop economy that once sustained households. Cotton growing, he argued, would offer thousands of families a stable source of income if government provides seedlings, extension support and market assurance.

“People here are poor, most still sleeping in grass-thatched houses. The FDC government will revive cotton and pilot coffee farming. We shall give each village shillings 100 million for development so that families can rise again,” he pledged.

He said the district’s poverty and underdevelopment stem from persistent neglect, pointing to poor roads, dilapidated schools, understaffed health centres and a lack of clean water. According to him, these challenges will be no more after January 2026 if FDC assumes government.

Nandala was escorted by his wife, Flora Nandala, a daughter of the Teso region; FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat and several parliamentary flag-bearers.

I will work with Speaker Among in my new government

Although Bukedea is the home district of Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among, Nandala insisted he harbours no hostility towards her despite their different political paths. Instead, he called for a peaceful election where political differences should not turn communities against one another.

He reaffirmed willingness to work with Among if both are elected to high office.

“We mentored her in the FDC; we know her. FDC is not a prison—people are free to move. If she is re-elected Speaker and I become President, we shall work together because leadership is for all Ugandans, not for one party,” he said.

Nandala, however, criticised Among’s recent claims that Teso is “doing very well,” arguing that the lived reality in Bukedea contradicts that narrative.

“When she told President Museveni that Teso is very fine and needs nothing from the Government, she lied. Look at your roads, your hospitals, your poverty—we all know the truth. That is why you will vote for change,” he rectified.

Among served in FDC for nearly 13 years, including roles as deputy treasurer and vice-chairperson of Parliament's COSASE and later joined the ruling NRM. Despite this, Nandala said he remains proud to have worked with her during her earlier political career.