Mafabi Storms Buyende With Bold Promises of Grassroots Empowerment
By Urban Gazette Political Desk
BUYENDE, Uganda The political heat in eastern Uganda rose a notch higher today as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi brought his 2026 presidential campaign to Buyende District, drawing thousands to a string of rallies, market visits, and community engagements that centered on one message: “Power to the people, right at the grassroots.”
From early morning until dusk, Mafabi traversed dusty trading centers and bustling townships, promising direct development funding to villages, improved infrastructure, and economic reforms that he said would “liberate the forgotten citizens.”
A Grand Arrival in Buyende
Mafabi’s convoy entered Buyende shortly after 7:00 AM, greeted by energized supporters waving party flags and singing FDC anthems. He was joined by key party officials, local mobilizers, and regional opinion leaders.
“Buyende is not too far to be remembered,” he declared at his first rally near Buyende Town Council, where a crowd had gathered despite intermittent rain. “This government forgot you, but I have not.”
Listening to the Locals: Markets and Streets
One of Mafabi’s signature campaign strategies—direct engagement—was on full display as he made unscheduled stopovers at local markets, including Kidera and Iringa Trading Centers. Vendors, many of them women, voiced frustrations over excessive market dues, poor sanitation, and lack of access to capital.
“I wake up at 5am to sell cassava, and by 8am the council is already demanding money,” said Margaret Nanyonjo, a 39-year-old vendor.
“Enough of harvesting from the poor,” Mafabi responded. “Under my leadership, we shall introduce a zero-tax threshold for small traders and support them with affordable credit.”
He also reiterated his now-viral promise to give UGX 100 million to every village annually, saying the funds would be locally managed and supervised by elected village development committees.
Infrastructure and Services: “We Deserve Better”
At Bukungu, a sub-county known for fishing and farming, Mafabi addressed poor road conditions, lack of electricity, and the high dropout rate in schools.
“The road from Kamuli to Buyende feels like a riverbed. You deserve roads, not mud,” he said.
He pledged to:
Tarmac at least 30% of rural roads per district in his first term
Extend solar mini-grids to off-grid areas in Buyende
Equip health centers with medicine and staff
Double capitation grants to schools and abolish fees in government UPE and USE schools
Youth, Jobs & Startup Capital
Mafabi’s youth-oriented message resonated loudly in Buyende, where unemployment remains high. Speaking to a group of over 500 young people near Buyende SS grounds, he renewed his call for economic inclusion.
“Every fresh graduate will get UGX 1 million to start a business or cooperative. This is not a handout, it’s your right to opportunity,” he said.
He also hinted at introducing vocational training centers in every county, tailored to local industries like fishing, farming, and light manufacturing.
Anti-Corruption & Resource Recovery
In his mid-day press briefing, Mafabi criticized what he called the “chronic corruption” in the ruling government, claiming Uganda loses over UGX 10 trillion annually through illicit deals and ghost projects.
“If we recover even half of that, we won’t need to borrow from the IMF,” he argued. “And Buyende will have its fair share without begging.”
He vowed to establish an independent anti-corruption tribunal, separate from the executive, and return stolen assets to communities through direct investment.
Reactions From the Ground
The Urban Gazette team spoke to several residents after the rallies. While many welcomed Mafabi’s pledges, some voiced skepticism.
“We’ve heard many promises. But at least he came here and listened,” said Godfrey Wakabi, a boda boda rider in Kidera.
“If even half of what he says comes true, Buyende will change,” added Jane Aciro, a teacher in a rural UPE school.
Others expressed hope that Mafabi’s approach would force other candidates to prioritize underserved regions.
Political Strategy: Why Buyende Matters
Buyende, with over 220,000 registered voters, sits at the heart of the Busoga sub-region—a region that has historically leaned towards the ruling party but is increasingly seen as a battleground in the 2026 elections.
By visiting Buyende this early in the campaign, Mafabi signaled that no district is too remote, and that his strategy hinges on connecting directly with rural voters long ignored by national agendas.
Political analysts suggest that Mafabi’s grassroots-first message is crafted to undercut the narrative that opposition parties only focus on urban voters.
What’s Next on the Trail?
According to the FDC campaign secretariat, Mafabi is set to continue his eastern trail through Kamuli, Namutumba, and Luuka districts over the next two days. His team promised even deeper engagement in rural parishes, youth gatherings, and radio town halls.
Meanwhile, other opposition candidates—like Robert Kyagulanyi of NUP and Mugisha Muntu of ANT—are expected to launch their tours in the Busoga sub-region later this month.
As the sun set over the rice paddies and trading centers of Buyende, one message from Mafabi lingered: “You will not be forgotten. Not now, not in 2026.”
Whether that message carries through the campaign season will depend not only on his consistency—but on whether rural Ugandans believe that this time, the promises are more than politics.
This is part of Urban Gazette’s “On the Trail 2026” series — bringing you live coverage from every district.
