Why Nandala Returned to Teso on his presidential trail

SOROTI - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi has returned to Teso sub-region for the second time on his presidential campaign trail with a renewed mission to reclaim the party’s political ground, respond to community pressure for his comeback, and outline concrete proposals to rescue Uganda from what he calls a worsening debt crisis.

His return, he says, was driven by the increasing outcry from residents who feel abandoned, unheard, and economically suffocated. Unlike in other regions like the central region (Buganda), where Nandala campaigned for just four days and in five districts, and also in Western Uganda, where he has not campaigned before.

The revisit marks Nandala’s third return to Soroti District and second to other regions’ districts during his presidential campaign trail. Teso remains a critical battleground for the FDC, both politically and emotionally.

FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, who accompanied Nandala, said the return was influenced directly by community demand following weeks of door-to-door mobilisation. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

In the 2021 elections, President Museveni garnered 34,590 votes in Soroti, followed by FDC’s Patrick Oboi Amuriat with 19,758. With parliamentary seats split between the NRM and Independents, FDC believes the region is still winnable and must not be left behind.

FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, who accompanied Nandala, said the return was influenced directly by community demand following weeks of door-to-door mobilisation.

“Our campaigns are not like those of NRM or NUP where crowds are ferried to one point,” he said. “We go from home to home, and many communities we had not reached requested us to return and share our message. That is why we are back.”

Amuriat said Nandala’s 25 years of leadership and his track record in economic management made him the right candidate to address Teso’s long-standing challenges. Now contesting for Kanyum County in Kumi District, he also pledged reforms to support fruit farmers who continue to grapple with market failures.

“People in Teso are poor. They sleep in grass-thatched houses, and many can’t afford salt at sh500. We need a saviour, and we believe it is Nandala,” he said.

Promise to overturn the country’s debt

Nandala’s fresh push into Teso comes at a critical moment. Uganda’s public debt has ballooned to sh94.869 trillion, consuming nearly a third of the national budget in loan repayments.

He argues that this debt burden has stalled development, particularly in regions like Teso, where poverty, unemployment, poor social services, and collapsed cooperatives continue to undermine livelihoods.

“This money should be providing social services and reviving productive sectors, not paying for idle loans whose results we can’t see,” he said.

He accused the government of reckless, sporadic borrowing and financial haemorrhage, noting that Uganda must urgently reorganise its economic priorities. If elected, he pledged to impose strict debt ceilings, eliminate unnecessary loans, restore financial discipline, and revive state-owned enterprises to boost national revenue.

“We must return to a government that makes money, not one that loses it,” he added.
The NRM government, on the other hand, insists that its borrowing strategy is deliberate—aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding industrialisation, and strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation.

Promises for Teso: Restoring livelihoods

At Tubur Town Council and several other stopovers in Soroti district on Thursday, December 4th, Nandala told residents that the collapse of the Teso Cooperative Union had fuelled poverty by disrupting agricultural markets and reducing farmers’ bargaining power.

He vowed to revive the cooperative and re-establish a fair, accessible system of credit for farmers.

“We ask you, without cattle compensation, do not vote for anyone,” he said. “Just tick every candidate with the FDC key symbol. We are going to restore the Teso Cooperative Union, ensure stable markets for your fruits, regulate prices, and give interest-free credit to farmers.”

Cattle compensation remains one of the most sensitive political issues in Teso. Nandala said FDC already has a clear plan to compensate families and dismissed what he described as “forty years of unfulfilled promises” by the ruling government.

He also promised to revive cotton farming, once the region’s economic backbone and rehabilitate both the education and health sectors, which he said have been left in disrepair.

He criticised the government’s decision to continually verify compensation claims, arguing that even young people in Teso know what their families lost during years of insecurity.

Voices from Soroti: A district left behind

The return of the FDC flag bearer drew reactions from leaders and community members who said Teso’s challenges continue to deepen.

Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju, the Woman MP for Soroti District and FDC flag bearer, said the region urgently needs a president who understands the struggles of farmers.

“The biggest challenge is seeing oranges and other fruits rotting on the ground because there is no market,” she said. “The government factory imports fruits from Kenya instead of buying from our farmers. We need a president who will enforce market access.”

Erau Jonathan, the FDC flag bearer for Dakabela County, pointed to deteriorating infrastructure and declining education standards.

“Apart from the main highway, you can’t find any tarmac in Soroti. When it rains, farmers cannot reach markets. Our schools are in poor condition, leading to high dropout rates. We hope our president will address this,” he noted.

In Oculoi Sub-county, residents told the FDC team that health services are on the brink of collapse.

“Most times, we don’t find drugs in hospitals, and many men can’t afford private care,” said Amos Okello from Ojom Village. “Teenage pregnancies are rising because girls deliver at home due to lack of drugs. We ask the incoming president to prioritise health services.”

Following his visit to Teso, the FDC campaign will traverse Soroti, Bulambuli, Serere, Kumi, Bukedea, Namutumba and Katakwi districts.

From Tuesday, 8th December, Nandala is expected to head to Western Uganda, where he will campaign for eight days as he continues his push for national transformation.