Articles by John Musenze

Politics

Nandala banks on '100%' home ground Sironko vote

Ugandaelections2026 Nandala banks on '100%' home ground Sironko vote Nandala's homecoming was mounted with about 100 car convoy, many of whom never wanted to leave their seats, as though it was once you leave it, you forget it. FDC presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi speaks to supporters in Sironko district during a campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo) Share: Our WhatsApp Channel ______________The old saying that heroes are rarely celebrated in their hometowns might not apply to eastern Uganda's hills of Sironko district.Anyone who watched, witnessed or simply stood along the dusty roads when presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi returned home would agree: Sironko honours its own.The day’s excitement began at about 10:00am in Budadiri West, where Nandala started his journey with a stop at his late father’s home to receive ancestral blessings. From there, he set off on a spirited five-kilometre walk with supporters who had been waiting for him at his home, his father’s home, and along the roads leading out of the village.FDC presidential candidate James Nathan Nandala Mafabi with supporters on his campaign trail. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)Nandala Mafabi speaking to voters at his campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)The farther he walked, the larger the crowd grew. Children, youth, adults and even the elderly joined in as these were energised by their home traditional music, the kadodi, together with three truck vehicles mounted with loudspeakers singing Nandala nni ye ansa, an anthem everyone knew from the lyrics, beat and the dance.Besides many of his supporters, Nandala's homecoming was mounted with about 100 car convoy, many of whom never wanted to leave their seats, as though it was once you leave it, you forget it.Mafabi speaking to voters at his campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)Voters listening to Mafabi at his campaign rally. (Credit: Alfred Ochwo)The FDC presidential candidate held five mega rallies across the district before the main one in Sironko town council, and at each rally, he received gifts of food, cows, goats, chicken and turkeys, signs of love, jubilation and appreciation for the 25-year legislative journey. Mafabi, who is the Forum for Democratic Change party flag-bearer, is the incumbent Sironko-based Budadiri West Member of Parliament.Nandala was accompanied by his wife, Flora, dressed in Kitengi, while he wore his signature short-sleeve blue shirt, khaki trousers and brown Loro Piana sneakers.Nandala was heavily backed up by religious leaders, FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat, area FDC leaders and aspirants and what we learnt as NRM leaders from the district.“The people here are speaking one word: thank you. They are grateful for the 25-year journey, and they are ready to support their own. I have done what I was meant to do, and I know I will get a 100% win. If I do not get 100% from Bugisu, it will be a total cheat,” he told journalists.By the time New Vision Online left at 8:00pm, supporters were still waving coffee branches, thanking him for championing the crop that changed the region’s fortunes. For the people of Sironko, the day was not just politics. It was history in the making.“Bugisu has never had someone to rule this country. We have supported others for decades. It is time Bugisu is recognised. It is time we send our own son, this is our hero, and he deserves a heroic welcome,” an elderly man identified as Eric Wamboka said.