Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi has called on residents of the West Nile sub-region to take up coffee farming, describing it as a critical pathway to improving household incomes and fostering local economic growth.
Addressing a rally in Adjumani District, Mafabi urged communities to revive cash crops and cooperatives, which he said have been deliberately neglected by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
"You should now begin growing coffee, which can bring money to your pockets. The government has managed to make you poor deliberately to keep themselves in power. We had cash crops like cotton, coffee, and cooperatives, but they have been killed. We shall revive cooperatives to help our farmers earn decently and improve their household income,” Mafabi said.
Mafabi criticized the government's poverty alleviation initiatives, including the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, claiming they have failed to achieve their intended impact.
He promised that, if elected, he would introduce more effective measures, such as allocating funds directly to villages and establishing a specialized bank to make it easier for farmers to access financial support.
He also condemned what he described as a burdensome tax system that favors the rich and elite while straining ordinary citizens.
Residents at the rally expressed optimism about Mafabi’s proposals, particularly his focus on local economic empowerment.
"Poverty has remained high among the locals for all these years because of corruption and a few people who have positioned themselves to eat the national cake. Even most promises have not been delivered," said Francisca Chandia, a resident of Adjumani Town Council, reflecting widespread frustration with the current government.
Interestingly, Mafabi’s message also resonated with supporters of the ruling party. Sharon Tasha, a member of the NRM, said she was inspired by the idea of promoting coffee farming through cooperatives.
"Mafabi saw the growth of the Bugisu Coffee Cooperative Union. I buy his idea on coffee unions. I will take his advice and start coffee farming because our weather can also favour coffee," she said.
Mafabi’s rally in Adjumani underscores the FDC’s commitment to reviving Uganda’s agricultural sector and empowering local communities through sustainable economic initiatives.