Ugandan opposition leader and former musician Bobi Wine has confirmed he will run for president in the upcoming 2026 elections, setting the stage for a renewed challenge to President Yoweri Museveni’s decades-long rule.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said the growing desire for change among Uganda’s youth has left him with no option but to contest. “We cannot just hand over another election to General Museveni,” he said in a recent interview, underscoring his belief that Uganda’s future depends on confronting a system he describes as repressive and corrupt.
Museveni, in power since 1986, has signaled intentions to run for a seventh term. At 80, he remains one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, backed by military elites and a tightly controlled political apparatus.
Rising Through Repression
Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has faced repeated crackdowns from the state since entering politics. He was arrested during the 2021 elections, held under house arrest alongside his wife, and repeatedly targeted with threats and harassment. Despite these challenges, his message of democratic reform has resonated widely—particularly among younger Ugandans, who make up over 80/percent of the population.
“Young people are hopeful because they see the possibility of change,” he said. “They understand that without freedom, life itself is compromised.”
He warned that the 2026 campaign is already showing signs of increased violence. “We had a by-election recently where one of my MPs died after being tortured. Journalists were attacked. Even U.S. embassy observers had to pull out for safety reasons,” he noted.
Personal Threats, Political Resolve
Wine has also become a target of President Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces and head of the Patriotic League of Uganda. Kainerugaba, seen by many as Museveni’s likely successor, has issued public threats against Wine, including social media posts claiming to have “a bullet reserved” for the opposition leader.
But the threats have not deterred Wine. “That’s all the more reason to stand up,” he said. “If the world refuses to normalize repression, 2026 could be a turning point.”
Foreign Aid and Democracy
Wine criticized international donors for what he views as complicity in entrenching Museveni’s regime. He alleged that aid intended for healthcare and development has instead been diverted to security forces that target civilians.
“We now have fewer medicines and more bullets. The weapons killing our people are American. The soldiers torturing them were trained abroad,” he said. “We’re calling for targeted sanctions—not blanket aid that props up repression.”
He argued that a democratic Uganda would be better positioned to manage resources and tackle systemic corruption, which he claims drains two-thirds of the country’s annual revenue—an estimated 10 trillion Ugandan shillings ($2.5 billion) every year.
A Family Effort, A National Cause
Wine credited his wife, author and activist Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, for her continued support. She played a key role in his 2017 parliamentary campaign and later joined him on the presidential trail with her own platform focused on women’s rights.
Their story gained global attention through the Oscar-nominated documentary Bobi Wine: The People’s President, released after the controversial 2021 elections.
Despite the risks, Wine says he remains committed. “I’d rather be making music than risking my life. But this isn’t something you choose—it chooses you,” he said. “If I’m still alive and not imprisoned by year’s end, I will run for president.”