- Opposition leader Bobi Wine warned of possible fraud ahead of Uganda’s January 15 presidential vote, urging citizens to defend their votes
- Running for the second time, Bobi Wine highlighted the entrenched authoritarian rule under President Yoweri Museveni, calling for citizen-led vote protection
- Bobi Wine criticized systemic corruption as a major obstacle to development in Uganda, promising that, if elected, he would end government capture
- Despite Museveni’s decades of rule and control over government institutions, Bobi Wine expressed confidence in removing him from power
The race for the presidency in the country Uganda has entered its final stage with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, warning of possible election fraud.
Source: Twitter
The country goes to the polls on Thursday, January 15, with more than 20 million registered voters expected to decide the leadership of the East African nation that has been under the rule of President Yoweri Museveni for more than four decades.
Museveni, 81, has control of almost all government institutions and security forces, which analysts say strongly supports his bid for another term.
The veteran politician’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is campaigning under the slogan “Protecting Success,” describing the vote as a choice for continuity and stability.
For most Ugandans under 40, who make up about 75% of the population, Museveni is the only president they have ever known.
On the contrary, the National Union of Bobi Wine (NUP) platform encourages generational change, showing urgency and general dissatisfaction with long-term governance issues.
Why will Bobi Wine convince Ugandans to protest?
During an interview with CNN, Bobi Wine, 43, said he was ready to mobilize the public to defend their votes, while also welcoming an international investigation.
Bobi Wine is running for president for the second time after his 2021 campaign was marred by violent crackdowns, detentions, and allegations of electoral fraud.
He described the 2026 race as an opportunity to challenge what he calls entrenched dictatorship and empower Ugandans to take charge of the democratic process.
“It is important for us to resist an authoritarian ruler again and again until we finally get our freedom. Because not resisting means giving up. Yes, we know that all the odds are against us, the army, the police and all government institutions. But also, it is clear that the people of Uganda stand firmly behind the forces of change that I lead,” he said.
Bobi Wine outlined his campaign strategy, emphasizing citizen-led vote protection, warning that Ugandans will not defend rigged results.
He said that everything in the country is already pointing to Museveni stealing the presidential vote, encouraging Ugandans to be ready for big action.
“If Museveni steals the election, as all the signs show, the people of Uganda must rise up and claim their victory. I mean, we would choose the means of violence, but we do not believe in violence. Violence has never brought nations anywhere. We believe in voting with strength and in the best way and then defend the election, defend the victory. We have asked the Ugandan people to exercise their constitutional right,” he said.
The opposition leader emphasized that the movement will continue to be non-violent, instead depending on the large number of voters and protest of peace supported by constitutional rights.
Article 29 of the Constitution of Uganda, he said, gives citizens the right to peacefully oppose any evil, encouraging the youth of the country to remain strong in defending democracy.
Is Bobi Wine sure to remove Museveni from power?
He further criticized what he described as systemic corruption and government capture under Museveni’s administration.
Bobi Wine explained that corruption was a major obstacle to development in the country compared to poverty and ignorance at the time of independence.
“In the past, our problems were three: ignorance, disease and poverty, but now our problem can be rounded to one, corruption, big corruption, which has been established, which has been turned into a currency and a way of living and a way of staying in power. We want to suppress that corruption when we take power,” he said.
Source: Facebook
He expressed confidence in his chances against Museveni, saying that it was a matter of when he would become head of state, not if.
According to Bobi Wine, he would strive to give Ugandan institutions the authority to carry out their duties instead of having full control.
“We also want to empower institutions, government institutions and stop government hijacking, to ensure that the courts and parliament are independent and can control the performance. That way, we will be able to stop the rule of one person and have people with knowledge, talent and the ability to unite minds and lead our country forward,” he added.
Why is Museveni sure to win another term?
Elsewhere, Museveni expressed great confidence in remaining in power before the 2026 General Election.
During a recent meeting, he emphasized that his hold on the presidency has not wavered despite the challenges of the opposition over the years.
Museveni, who has led Uganda since 1986, highlighted his national tours and the large crowds they drew as evidence of continued support.
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