Mafabi’s arrival in Kitgum municipality on Sunday evening drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)

KITGUM - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flagbearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi received a heroic welcome in Kitgum Municipality on November 2, 2025, reaffirming the district’s reputation as one of the party’s traditional strongholds in the Acholi region.

Since 2006, the FDC has maintained a firm base in East Acholi, where residents have consistently demonstrated loyalty to the party. In 2011 and 2016, Beatrice Atim Anywar represented Kitgum women and Kitgum Municipality, respectively, under the FDC ticket.

However, when she crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in 2021, she was defeated by incumbent Kitgum Municipality MP Denis Onekalit Amere.

While addressing supporters at Christ the King Playground, Mafabi outlined FDC’s plans for northern Uganda under the party’s five-pillar manifesto anchored on the slogan “Fixing the Economy.” (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

In the 2021 General Election, Kitgum elected two MPs on the FDC ticket: Onekalit and Philip Polly Okin Ojara for Chua West. In addition, Morish Santo Oyoo, also an FDC member, was elected LC3 chairperson of Pager Division. These victories reaffirmed Kitgum’s position as an FDC stronghold in Acholi.

Mafabi’s arrival in Kitgum municipality on Sunday evening drew thousands of enthusiastic supporters.

His over 100-car convoy, together with hundreds of bodaboda riders, was first received in Padibe town council in Lamwo district, by an advance team led by Amere before proceeding to Kitgum. By 4:55pm, as he entered Pager Division, crowds of FDC supporters lined the streets waving olive branches and chanting party slogans.

Many walked alongside his convoy for nearly an hour as his open-roof black vehicle slowly made its way into the heart of the municipality. Mafabi waved to the cheering supporters using the FDC party sign chanting: 'FDC oyee!' through the town.

A brief confrontation occurred when the Police attempted to divert the procession at Pager Roundabout, directing it away from the central business district. Mafabi, however, insisted on greeting his supporters in the town centre before continuing to Christ the King Playground in Pandwong Division, where he addressed a major rally.

Internal wrangles and support base

Despite internal wrangles at the national level, the FDC maintains a strong foothold in Acholi. In the recently concluded nominations, Denis Onekalit Amere was cleared to defend his parliamentary seat on the FDC ticket.

He faces stiff competition from water minister Beatrice Anywar and four other contenders.

However, divisions have slightly weakened the party’s cohesion in the region. Philip Polly Okin Ojara, the incumbent MP for Chua West, opted to run as an Independent following internal disagreement. Even so, the FDC remains influential in Kitgum, where Morish Santo Oyoo is a popular mayoral aspirant.

Residents of Kitgum, which comprises Kitgum Municipality, Chua East and Chua West Counties, continue to face numerous socio-economic challenges.

Frequent human–wildlife conflicts, particularly with elephants and other animals from Kidepo Valley National Park, have destroyed crops and property.

Meanwhile, cattle rustling by suspected Karamojong raiders has devastated livelihoods and increased insecurity. Poor road networks continue to hinder farmers’ access to markets and health centres. 

Local leaders have petitioned the Government to create a new district out of Chua East and to upgrade Kitgum General Hospital into a regional referral facility, citing overstretched services due to the influx of refugees.

Kitgum, known for producing sim sim and cotton, remains economically constrained by low farm-gate prices, leaving many farmers struggling to earn sustainable incomes. It is this economic stagnation that Mafabi promised to address if elected president.

Five-pillar manifesto

While addressing supporters at Christ the King Playground, Mafabi outlined FDC’s plans for northern Uganda under the party’s five-pillar manifesto anchored on the slogan “Fixing the Economy.”

He promised to tarmac the Gulu-Patiko-Palabek road to improve regional connectivity and to compensate families for cattle and lives lost during the LRA war. He also pledged to allocate ten percent of the national budget to agriculture and to revitalise the East and West Acholi Cooperative Unions to empower farmers.

Mafabi also promised to establish a farmers’ bank offering low-interest loans and farm insurance, and to support bodaboda operators through affordable loans requiring only shillings two million as a deposit.

He also committed to implementing a national school feeding programme and ensuring uniform teacher pay.

Expanding healthcare infrastructure, equipping hospitals and recruiting more medical staff were among his key pledges. He vowed to roll out a village development model, granting each village shillings 100 million for livelihood projects, and to invest in roads, ICT and rural electrification to boost trade and industry.

Mafabi concluded his campaign tour in Lamwo and Kitgum districts, pledging that an FDC-led government would prioritise service delivery and economic recovery for the Acholi sub-region.

 He is expected to continue his campaign trail in Pader and Agago districts, where he will wrap up his rallies in Acholi.