Rukungiri — Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi on Thursday faced open hostility from sections of Rukungiri residents who accused him of betraying detained opposition icon Dr Kizza Besigye, a native of the district and a symbol of pro-democracy struggle in Uganda.
Despite the tension, Mafabi pushed ahead with his scheduled campaign activities in the Kigezi sub-region, starting in Rukungiri before proceeding to Rukiga.
Videos shared on social media showed angry residents demanding that Mafabi “produce Besigye,” accusing him of failing to stand up for the four-time presidential candidate who remains incarcerated on charges opposition groups call politically motivated.
NTV reported that traders and residents expressed deep resentment, chanting Besigye’s name and confronting the FDC candidate as he attempted to address gatherings.
But Mafabi remained defiant. Speaking at earlier rallies in Katerera and Bunyaruguru Town Councils in Rubirizi, he criticised the government for what he termed years of neglect in agriculture and economic management, insisting his campaign would “restore fairness, end brutality, and make government accountable to all citizens.”
A District on Edge Over Besigye’s Detention
The backlash against Mafabi comes just days after a high-profile gathering of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) at Rukungiri Main Stadium, where opposition leaders urged residents to take a frontline role in demanding the release of political prisoners—especially their “son of the soil,” Dr Besigye.
Presiding over the event, PFF president Elias Lukwago described Rukungiri as “a historic stronghold of Uganda’s pro-democracy movements.” He praised Besigye as “a pillar and a champion in all the struggles that have shaped our politics.”
Lukwago accused the government of attempting to weaken the opposition by fielding powerful figures such as Gen Jim Muhwezi and Gen Henry Tumukunde.
“The people of Rukungiri should assert their authority,” Lukwago said.
“Chase away Tumukunde, chase away Muhwezi, and make a strong statement that you are not comfortable with how Museveni has treated your son and other political prisoners.”
PFF vice chairperson for Western Uganda, Dr Nicholas Kamara, added that political liberation required citizens to remain vigilant and informed.
Meanwhile, Ingrid Turinawe, PFF flag bearer for Rukungiri Municipality, asserted that the district’s biggest concern remained the continued detention of Besigye.
“Rukungiri municipality has many issues, but the main one is the continuous detention of our son, Dr Besigye, who should have been released even today,” Turinawe told supporters.
FDC Pushes On Despite Divisions
Even as pressure mounts in Besigye’s home district, the FDC campaign machine continues its nationwide mobilisation. The party emphasised that Mafabi’s engagements in Rubirizi and other western districts have drawn strong crowds and meaningful dialogue.
In their updates, FDC leaders framed their manifesto as a promise of transformative leadership aimed at addressing security gaps, improving welfare, and reducing human–wildlife conflict in districts bordering national parks.
However, the tension in Rukungiri underscores a widening emotional divide between Mafabi’s faction and Besigye loyalists—one that threatens to overshadow the party’s messaging in the run-up to the 2026 elections.
For now, the FDC candidate continues his campaign, but the confrontation in Rukungiri sends a clear warning: in Besigye’s stronghold, political legitimacy remains deeply tied to the fate of the man many still call their champion.
