By Laker Jolly Piloya
OBONGI, UGANDA – November 11, 2025 – The campaign trail took an unexpected turn for the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi and Obongi’s FDC Parliamentary candidate Kaps Fungaroo today, as their political rally at Lionga playground in Obongi Town Council was largely shunned by local residents.
Despite more than a week of mobilization efforts by Kaps Fungaroo, who also serves as the FDC Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, the turnout was remarkably low. Sources at the scene reported that the number of vehicles accompanying Nandala Mafabi, who arrived in Obongi around midday, appeared to outnumber the handful of people who gathered to welcome them.
Residents interviewed in Obongi openly expressed their reluctance to attend the FDC rally, citing a widespread sentiment of dissatisfaction with Fungaroo’s past performance. “We cannot go to the FDC rally because for 15 years when Fungaroo was MP he never did anything sensible apart from frustrating government programs and abusing President Yoweri Museveni,” one resident stated.
The prevailing mood among locals suggested a strong leaning towards the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Aliga Moses articulated this sentiment, saying, “People of Obongi have made up their mind to vote President Museveni, Zumura Maneno and Bhoka George Didi and other flag bearers of NRM because of the very many achievements by NRM in Obongi.”
Another resident, Kasifa Night Aikoru, echoed hopes for continued development under the current administration. “We will massively vote President Museveni and other flag bearers so that Mr Museveni can give them electricity, Obongi hospital, schools and tarmack to transport their produce,” Aikoru affirmed.
Ayub Hamid offered direct advice to the FDC candidates, urging them to consider campaigning for the NRM instead. “Fungaroo and Nandala Mafabi should campaign for NRM instead of wasting time moving around because NRM has done a lot for Obongi and Uganda in general in the area of security and fighting poverty alleviation,” Hamid remarked.
Hamid further expressed satisfaction with presidential appointments in the district, noting, “We are happy that President Museveni deployed RDC Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka to Obongi to fight against corruption and ensuring common people benefit from government programs.”
The poor attendance at the FDC rally in Obongi highlights a significant challenge for the opposition in a district where residents appear to be firmly aligned with the NRM, citing a combination of perceived past failures by local opposition leaders and tangible achievements attributed to the ruling party.W
When contacted for comment by our reporter, Fungaroo did not pick repeated phone calls.
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