The Alliance for African Farmers Party (AAFP) has officially launched its presidential campaign with a bold promise to create 15 million jobs over the next five years, positioning itself as a voice for economic revitalization, agrarian empowerment, and youth employment ahead of the 2025 General Elections.
At a high-profile event organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), AAFP presidential candidate Kunje Ngombale Mwiru received his nomination forms from INEC Chairman, Judge Jacobs Mwambegele, marking the formal start of his bid for the country’s top seat.
Mwiru was accompanied by his running mate Shum Juma Abdalla, as hundreds of party supporters cheered outside the INEC headquarters, waving flags and chanting slogans promoting agricultural prosperity and local empowerment.
In his address, Mwiru outlined the party’s vision, emphasizing the importance of agriculture as the foundation of national development.
“The future of this nation lies in its soil, and in the hands of those who till it. AAFP will empower farmers, modernize agriculture, and create 15 million jobs through a green, people-driven economy,” he declared.
The plan includes:
Revitalizing cooperatives
Investing in agri-tech
Creating rural industrial zones
Providing youth start-up capital for agri-business ventures
Expanding market access for farmers both locally and internationally
Mwiru claimed that current leadership had “neglected the backbone of the economy” and pledged to redirect national focus toward food security, job creation, and export diversification.
This marks the first time AAFP has fielded a presidential candidate, a significant step for the relatively new political formation that emerged from grassroots farmer movements and regional agricultural forums.
Political analysts view the party as an emerging third force, particularly in rural constituencies where traditional political parties are losing ground due to unmet economic promises and declining public trust.
“AAFP’s entry into the race introduces a fresh dimension. Their strategy seems well targeted at the forgotten rural majority,” said political commentator Dr. Mariam Kitula.
Running mate Shum Juma Abdalla, a social entrepreneur and community mobilizer, highlighted the party’s commitment to inclusive leadership.
“We are not here to recycle the old guard. We are here to build from the ground up — with women, with youth, and with small-scale farmers at the center,” she said.
Despite a vibrant launch and growing grassroots support, AAFP faces significant challenges — including low nationwide visibility, limited campaign resources, and stiff competition from the country’s dominant political alliances.
INEC has also urged all political parties to maintain peaceful and issue-based campaigns as the electoral calendar intensifies.
The official campaign period is set to commence in September, with presidential debates expected to begin shortly after. AAFP has promised to release a detailed manifesto in the coming weeks.
