By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
BUHWEJU
Yesterday, December 10, while campaigning in Buhweju district, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi accused the Buhweju County member of Parliament, Francis Mwijukye of failing development in the area.
According to Nandala, the sorry state of roads infrastructure and schools in Buhweju makes it appear abandoned, blaming what he described as weak leadership at district and parliamentary levels. He accused the area MP and former FDC party member, Mwijukye of failing to lobby for development in the district.
“Buhweju has a very bad road network,” said Nandala.
He said the government has prioritized constructing roads in neighbouring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo while areas like Buhweju have never received a tarmac road in the 40 years of NRM rule.
He questioned why the area MP, Mwijukye, a former FDC member, supported such decisions, claiming he had not done enough to advocate for the district’s needs.
“How can this government including your MP Francis Mwijukye approve a loan to construct roads in DRC and yet you are suffering with very bad roads?” Nandala questioned. He further accused Mwijukye of “moving with army men” instead of focusing on service delivery.
“I am the one would made Mwijukye a parliamentary commissioner, but has not helped you, instead he walks with army men. What is he guarding? I have been in parliament for 25 years but I don’t walk with army men.”
In response, Mwijukye who’s seeking re-election to parliament for a third term on PFF ticket dismissed Nandala’s claims as empty talk, noting that the voters in Buhweju are not swayed by such rhetoric.
“That is empty talk,” Mwijukye said. “He moved with security when he was Leader of Opposition. He is moving with security as a presidential candidate. So, is he working with Museveni because of the security he moves with? He is moving with two double cabins of police. It’s just empty talk, to say the least.”
Mwijukye also rejected claims that members of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) had abandoned Dr Kizza Besigye, who is currently facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and treason in Luzira. This followed remarks by the FDC vice chairperson for Western region, Robert Centenary, who alleged that some former FDC members are using Dr. Kizza Besigye’s situation to gain political sympathy, yet they abandoned him in Luzira prison and have not demanded his release.
“Nandala has never visited Dr Besigye in Luzira. It’s still empty talk,” he added.
During the campaign, the FDC presidential candidate pledged to establish agro-processing plants and support artisanal miners to ensure that Buhweju’s gold resources benefit local residents.
“We want to tell you that you are going to make a lot of money from your gold. This gold should benefit the people of Buhweju. I thought this issue had been solved because in Parliament we supported your MP when he raised it, but when he was seen privately, he abandoned the matter,” he said.
Nandala appealed to voters to support FDC candidates in the 2026 general elections, promising a brighter future for the country.
Today (December 11), Nandala Mafabi is expected to campaign in Rubirizi, Mitooma and Ntungamo districts.
