By Isaac Wandubile
Bugisu turned into a center of excitement, noise, and hope as FDC presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi moved across the region asking people to support him in the January 2026 elections.
Everywhere he went, crowds poured into the streets, chanting his name, waving party colors, and rushing to get a glimpse of the man many now call the “fighter of Bugisu.”
His rallies grew bigger and louder from one town to the next, ending with a massive gathering in Sironko Town Council that brought the entire area to a standstill.
During his rally in Budadiri Town Council, Nandala Mafabi reminded the people of Bugisu that he has stood with them through every political storm.
He spoke about one of the hardest moments of his political journey, the time he was shot in the leg during the 2011 general elections.
He said he refused to run away from the violence because he was fighting to defend the interests of the region. Many residents in the crowd already knew this story, and they shouted in agreement, calling him a true son of Bugisu.
He also talked about the struggle over coffee farming, which is one of the biggest sources of income for families in the region.
He explained how coffee production almost collapsed after President Museveni encouraged farmers to abandon coffee and focus on pepper, silk worm, and avocado.
According to him, this advice hurt farmers and weakened the economy of the region. But he proudly told the crowd that he pushed back against this move and encouraged people to keep growing coffee.
Today, coffee farming in Bugisu is rising again, something he believes shows the power of standing firm.
As he continued to address the people, Nandala Mafabi strongly criticized the high levels of corruption in the country.
He said corruption has created a big gap between regions, leaving some areas rich and developed while others, including Bugisu, remain poor and struggling.
Mafabi promised that under the FDC government, this would change because public resources would be shared fairly instead of benefiting only a few individuals.
He then explained the FDC’s plan for Uganda, which attracted loud cheers from the crowds. He said the party will reduce tax from 30% to 10% so that businesses can grow and citizens can have more money in their pockets.
He also promised better housing for civil servants, saying people who serve the country deserve comfort, not stress. He talked about equal job opportunities, saying no Ugandan should be left out because of their region, tribe, or connections.
On social welfare, he promised that every senior aged 65 and above will receive 60,000 shillings to support their daily needs.
He also said that all school children will be fed, helping them stay in school and perform better. Another big promise was to upgrade all health center IVs into referral hospitals so that people can get quality medical care without struggling or traveling long distances.
Many people in Bugisu say Nandala Mafabi’s ideas could change the region in a big way. They believe his focus on fair development would finally bring good roads, clean water, and more economic opportunities.
Farmers are excited about his support for agriculture, while parents and teachers hope the school feeding program will give children a better future.
The excitement he created in Bugisu was clear as thousands continued to follow him from rally to rally. By the end of his tour, it was obvious that he had shaken the political atmosphere in the region.
As Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections, all eyes are now on Bugisu to see how this rising wave of support will influence the national race. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
