A bold concern about livelihoods and development takes center stage as FDC leaders in Namutumba and Bugweri push presidential hopeful Nathan Nandala Mafabi to address core community needs if elected.
Herbert Tibaira, the FDC candidate for Bukono in Namutumba, argues that communities must retain access to wetlands for cultivating rice, stressing that this practice remains a vital income source for many households. He also urges Mafabi to champion accessible, fair banking that protects residents from predatory lending and loan sharks.
Tibaira also calls for relief from heavy taxes, pointing out that high tax levels leave families with little in savings to cover emergencies.
Abdala Kasalawo, the FDC aspirant for Busiki, echoes the bank demand, emphasizing the importance of consumer-friendly credit services and warning about exploitation by some microfinance outfits operating in the area.
In Bugweri, Ibra Ndoga, the FDC LC5 candidate, proposes directing revenue from rare earth mineral sales in Makuutu Sub-County toward road construction to help farmers move their produce to markets more efficiently. He also advocates using tax revenue to upgrade the district’s road network and calls for upgrading Busesa Health Centre IV into a general hospital to improve health services.
During a rally in Kibaale Town Council, Namutumba, Mafabi told supporters that the elderly would receive a monthly stipend of Shs65,000 for those over 65 to boost their living standards. He also pledged to provide loans to small rural businesses, enabling entrepreneurs to grow without depending on traditional bank loans.
These positions frame a broader conversation about balancing resource utilization, rural infrastructure, health access, and financial empowerment in the region.
