By Mulengera Reporters
Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, faced significant setbacks during his campaign tour of the Acholi sub-region on Monday, as poor road conditions left several vehicles in his convoy stranded in thick mud.
The roads, particularly the Acholibur-Pajule route, became impassable after heavy rains, forcing Mafabi to apologize to supporters for arriving late to his rallies.
Mafabi, who had been scheduled to tour the districts of Pader and Agago, struggled with the travel delays as his convoy got stuck multiple times along the journey.
Despite the challenges, Mafabi managed to address crowds in Acholibur, Pajule Town Council, Pader town, and Agago town.
At each stop, Mafabi vowed to make road infrastructure a top priority if elected president.
He promised to tackle the region’s poor roads, which he said have hindered economic growth and development. “The roads are in such a bad state, it’s clear that Acholi has been left behind,” Mafabi told supporters. “If I become president, I will prioritize infrastructure development to ensure that roads in this region are passable and can support economic activity.”
In addition to infrastructure, Mafabi outlined his plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region with seed capital to drive local economic growth. He also emphasized the need to improve education and healthcare services in Acholi, pledging to equip schools and health centers with the necessary resources.
Mafabi also expressed concern over the poverty levels in the region, describing the situation as “disturbing.”
He criticized the economic hardships faced by the people of Acholi, who he said had been left to suffer after years of conflict and neglect.
“We cannot allow the people of Acholi to remain in poverty,” Mafabi stated. “My administration will work to restore the dignity of Acholi and address the wounds of the past.” Mafabi’s plan includes compensating families who lost loved ones or property during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency and restocking Pader and Agago with cattle at affordable interest rates.
Despite the difficulties with travel, Mafabi remained optimistic. His convoy, which was delayed several times as it made its way back to Mbale, was forced to stop again due to poor road conditions. Mafabi shared an update on social media, stating, “We have just reached Mbale after a long journey from Agago. The message is clear: Acholi deserves better.”
For now, the campaign continues, and the challenge of improving Acholi’s infrastructure remains a central theme of Mafabi’s message.
Whether he can deliver on his promises of road improvements, economic revitalization, and reparations for war victims remains to be seen, but his determination to address the region’s longstanding issues is undeniable.
