By Isaac Wandubile
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Secretary General Nandala Mafabi on Tuesday delivered a strongly worded call for political change during a campaign stop in Arua City, telling residents that the time had come for new leadership and greater accountability in government.
Addressing a gathering of supporters, Mafabi said the people of Arua had “spoken for change” and urged them to give his camp an opportunity to “develop the country,” emphasizing that his message was not rooted in hatred but in the need for reform.
Mafabi criticized what he described as long-standing inequalities in the distribution of national resources, arguing that Arua City should be more developed than it currently is.
He claimed that only a small number of individuals benefit from government programs while the majority continue to face poverty.
Throughout his address, Mafabi questioned the continued visibility of President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign materials, saying it was unnecessary for someone who has been in power for four decades.
He accused the government of mismanaging taxpayers’ money, alleging that funds collected from basic goods such as sugar, fuel, and soap are “stolen,” contributing to persistent poverty across the region.
Mafabi also criticized government-backed group loan schemes and various poverty-alleviation programs including Operation Wealth Creation, Entandikwa, Emyooga, and the Parish Development Model—claiming they have not delivered meaningful results for ordinary citizens.
According to Mafabi, trillions of shillings are lost annually through corruption, and he accused those in power of intentionally keeping citizens in economic hardship.
He urged residents of Arua to support his efforts to “end corruption” and pursue what he described as a more equitable distribution of resources.
A businessman by background, Mafabi said he understands the economic challenges faced by Ugandans and vowed to reduce taxes to boost production if given leadership responsibility.
He concluded by urging Arua residents to back his push for economic and political reform.
