Opposition presidential hopeful Nathan Nandala Mafabi has strongly criticized the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government, accusing President Yoweri Museveni’s administration of deliberately keeping people in West Nile impoverished for political gain. Addressing a large crowd in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, on Saturday, November 16, 2025, Nandala emphasized the need for change, pledging to dismantle the policies that he believes have trapped the region in a cycle of poverty.
Speaking as part of his final tour of the West Nile region ahead of the presidential elections, Nandala minced no words in his attack on the NRM government. “The situation you find yourselves in today is not by accident. The government has deliberately kept you poor,” he stated, earning loud applause from his audience. He accused the government of promoting systemic poverty, which he claimed keeps citizens dependent on handouts and at the mercy of exploitative systems.
The FDC presidential candidate went on to criticize the prevalence of moneylenders, who charge exorbitant interest rates, particularly targeting women in business. “They brought money lenders into this region, charging interest rates as high as 20 percent, and they come from only one region. Why? It’s a deliberate strategy to keep you in chains,” Nandala said, drawing support from the local businesswomen who have struggled with such financial practices.
Nandala, who has long been an advocate for improving Uganda’s agricultural and financial systems, also took aim at several government initiatives that have failed to deliver tangible results. He singled out programs like Emyooga, Youth Livelihood Program, Parish Development Model (PDM), and Operation Wealth Creation, claiming that they were poorly executed and lacked real impact. “These programs have not helped you at all,” he said, adding that they have only been used as political tools without addressing the real needs of the people.
Turning to agriculture, which remains a cornerstone of West Nile’s economy, Nandala promised to revive the cooperative societies that he claimed were dismantled by the NRM to keep farmers poor and dependent on middlemen. “If I’m elected, I’ll bring back the Okoro Coffee Growers Cooperative Society and similar groups in Zombo to give you the power to control your own products and stop the exploitation by middlemen,” he vowed.
Nandala also addressed the issue of underfunded government programs, promising a substantial shift in priorities. “Unlike the current government, I will ensure that every village receives Shs100 million annually, and I will guarantee that these funds go directly to the people, not to corrupt leaders,” he declared. He also promised a major overhaul of Uganda’s tax policies, particularly the high taxes on loans that, according to him, stifle economic growth and prevent ordinary citizens, including boda-boda riders, from acquiring property and assets.
On the issue of teacher salaries, Nandala expressed concern over the widening pay disparities between science teachers and their colleagues in government schools, which he said has led to a mass exodus of teachers to private institutions. “This policy has made government schools suffer while private schools thrive. The burden of teachers’ industrial action falls squarely on the parents,” he explained, vowing to address the wage issue comprehensively if elected.
Highlighting the failure of the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) program, Nandala promised financial relief for the elderly. “I will ensure that all Ugandans over the age of 60 receive Shs60,000 monthly, not just those above 80 years,” he said, criticizing the current program for leaving many older citizens without adequate support.
Nandala also promised improvements to Uganda’s healthcare infrastructure, vowing to upgrade Health Centre IVs into full hospitals and to elevate regional referral hospitals into national facilities like Mulago Hospital. He promised to support local engineers and builders by awarding contracts to foster skills development within Uganda’s workforce.
Before concluding his speech, Nandala was presented with a gift of yams from market vendors in Paidha Central Market, symbolizing local support for his campaign. In response, he promised to establish an agricultural bank offering low-interest loans to farmers and small traders. “You are the backbone of this country, and I will ensure you have the financial support to grow your businesses and farms,” he assured them.
Wrapping up his speech, Nandala made a final appeal to the voters of Zombo, a district that has been a stronghold for the NRM since the 1996 elections. “After 40 years in power, someone who has failed to solve your problems cannot suddenly fix them in five more years. It’s time for a real change,” he stated, echoing a message of hope and renewal that resonated with the crowd.
As Nandala heads to his final campaign stop in Pakwach District, his message of reform is gaining traction in West Nile, a region that has long been a stronghold of the ruling party. With his promises of economic empowerment, improved healthcare, and education, he aims to present himself as the alternative to a government that many in the region feel has long ignored their needs.
