Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi has pledged to address Busoga’s most pressing development challenges once elected President of Uganda in the 2026 general elections.
Nandala, who campaigned in Iganga District on Wednesday, accused the NRM government under President Yoweri 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 Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi, traversed Namungalwe, Nawandala, and Nabitende sub-counties before addressing a mega 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 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.
DailyExpress understands that more politicians in Iganga are weighing defections to FDC ahead of the 2026 elections. Nandala is scheduled to continue his campaign trail today in Kamuli and Buyende districts, while Mubaraka Munyagwa Sserunga will lead parallel activities in Iganga.
NUP’s Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert, alias Bobi Wine, is also expected to campaign in neighboring Namutumba and Bugweri districts.