MWE Correspondent
Ugandan opposition leader and former pop star Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has confirmed his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election.
The 43-year-old announced his plans on Friday, positioning himself for a renewed challenge against long-time President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986.
“Yes, I’ve expressed my availability on behalf of my team,” Wine told Reuters, confirming he would stand once again as the flagbearer for the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party.
Wine also used the moment to sharply criticise the Museveni administration, accusing it of a rise in human rights violations. He cited recent incidents of abductions, arbitrary detentions, and torture targeting his supporters and party officials.
He pointed to the arrest and reported torture of his bodyguard Eddie Mutwe as emblematic of the government’s crackdown on dissent.
“These are not isolated incidents. It’s a pattern of terror,” Wine said. “And what’s worse is the silence from our international partners — especially Western democracies who claim to stand for human rights.”
Wine expressed frustration at what he described as Western complicity, suggesting that some foreign powers prioritize economic interests over democratic values. “Some Western leaders come here to shake hands and sign deals, while they ignore the suffering of Ugandans,” he added.
Uganda has come under frequent scrutiny from rights groups over allegations of election-related violence, clampdowns on media, and suppression of dissent. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly raised concerns about democratic backsliding.
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Wine first ran for president in 2021, in a contentious election that saw security forces storm his home, shut down social media, and violently disperse opposition gatherings. Museveni was declared the winner, though the vote was widely criticized both domestically and abroad.
Now, as the next general election approaches in January 2026, Museveni — now 80 — is expected to seek a seventh term, potentially extending his time in office past four decades, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents.
For Wine, the upcoming election is not just a political campaign but a battle for Uganda’s soul.
“This is not about me,” he said. “It’s about the millions of young people who want change, who want a future. We are not giving up.”
With voter registration ongoing and the political climate heating up, Uganda’s road to 2026 promises to be both pivotal and turbulent.
