Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has announced a comprehensive plan to transform Serere’s agriculture and infrastructure, pledging to introduce coffee farming while reviving cotton, livestock, and orange production.
Speaking to residents, Mafabi said his administration would collaborate with local leaders to establish coffee as a new source of household income.
The party has already secured seedlings and is identifying suitable sites near water sources to ensure successful growth.
“We want to try with our chairman to give you coffee seedlings. We shall get a place here to plant them, and if this pilot succeeds, there is a lot of money in coffee. Everybody drinks coffee. Coffee will bring back cash to the people of Serere,” Mafabi said.
Mafabi pledged to allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture, aiming to revive cotton, strengthen livestock production, support orange farming, and reintroduce cooperatives to help farmers get better prices.
“We want to invest heavily in agriculture. Cotton will return, livestock will be restored, and oranges will be supported again. Through cooperatives, farmers will market their produce at better prices,” he said.
The FDC flagbearer promised to overhaul the road network, criticizing current spending and vowing durable, low-cost roads.
“Instead of spending $3 million per kilometer, we shall use $10,000–$15,000. We have materials here—stones, water, cement, sand—all from Uganda. Our plan is to construct 200 kilometers of low-cost roads per district,” Mafabi said.
He announced a monthly cash payment of 60,000 shillings for citizens aged 65 and above, ensuring timely payouts and fair compensation for ex-combatants.
Mafabi also criticised the government for underpaid teachers and poorly equipped schools and hospitals, linking the lack of cash crops to family poverty that makes education difficult for children.
He promised improved teacher pay, school meals, better learning conditions, and fully stocked public hospitals.
“Every day you pay taxes—on soap, sugar, salt, fuel—yet services are poor. We want your taxes to work for you, not to bribe you during elections,” he said.
Mafabi vowed to compensate families who lost cattle during past conflicts and rejected recent promises of free cows as unrealistic.
“They promise five cows per family. But where are the five million cows for Teso and five million for West Nile? They don’t exist. These are political lies,” he said.
He urged Teso residents to vote for leadership that restores dignity, cash income, and service delivery.
“My fathers and mothers in Teso, which cash crop do you have now? None. They removed your cotton and cows so that you become beggars. This election, refuse lies. Choose leaders who bring hope,” he said.
Serere county aspirant Stephen Ochola called on the government to urgently address poverty, livestock compensation, health service upgrades, and better roads.
Residents highlighted that Serere Health Centre IV is overwhelmed, far exceeding its capacity.
“The population that Health Centre IV is covering is beyond its level. We are suffering. We need a full district hospital,” they said.
Mafabi concluded by reaffirming his commitment to transforming Uganda’s economy, lowering the cost of living, and ensuring public resources benefit all citizens.