KAMPALA – Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine, is officially back in Uganda’s presidential race—and he’s not holding back. Speaking to a packed crowd in Nateete after his nomination by the Electoral Commission on Wednesday, Bobi Wine warned that the 2026 elections will be nothing short of “war.”
“I don’t know how much danger is awaiting us on this campaign trail, but we are going to keep moving with hope and faith. We are carrying the hope of our entire generation, a hope of millions and millions of Ugandans… Prepare yourselves,” he said.
Bobi Wine urged supporters to brace for conflict, calling it a struggle imposed on them by the country’s oppressors.
“Hug your loved ones one more time and tell them that we are going to war. A war we never chose, a war we are not trained for, but a war that has been imposed on us by our oppressors,” he added.
Remembering the Turmoil of 2021
Bobi Wine first ran for president in 2021, an election widely described as the most violent in Uganda’s history. That campaign saw:
- Dozens of civilians killed in clashes with security forces.
- Bobi Wine’s team arrested in Kalangala district over alleged unlawful ammunition possession, spending four years in confinement before a presidential pardon.
- Violent unrest following Bobi Wine’s arrest in Luuka district, leading to nationwide protests. Bobi Wine claims over 100 people were killed, while President Museveni cited 56 fatalities.
Despite these dangers, Bobi Wine remains defiant and resolute, vowing to confront what he describes as a well-armed enemy, with only truth and faith as his weapons.
“We are fighting because it is a duty we must take on. We are fighting for our God-given right to live as human beings in our own country. We will never retire; we will never give up. We will fight until we are free, and I’m sure we shall be free in the end.”
Claiming the 2021 Vote Was Rigged
In the 2021 election, President Yoweri Museveni officially won with 56% of the vote, against Bobi Wine’s 37%. However, Bobi Wine continues to assert that the election was rigged, pledging to fight for justice and accountability in the upcoming vote.
“We know that we are going to achieve our freedom… we shall be free. In the end, everything is going to be alright. And if everything is not alright yet, then that will not be the end,” he said.
A Call to the Nation
Bobi Wine’s rallying cry underscores the intensity of Uganda’s 2026 race. He is challenging a long-time incumbent and promising an unflinching struggle for human rights and democracy, appealing directly to a generation that feels politically marginalized.
His message resonates with opposition supporters across the country, who see the upcoming election as a pivotal moment in Uganda’s history.
Will Bobi Wine’s defiance reshape Uganda’s political landscape, or will Museveni maintain his grip on power? Drop your thoughts below!
