Uganda’s electoral landscape has taken a dramatic turn with the confirmation of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, among the official candidates for next year’s presidential elections.
The announcement was met with jubilant scenes across parts of the capital, as hundreds of Wine’s supporters poured into the streets to celebrate his candidacy. Crowds waving flags and chanting his campaign slogans gathered in Kampala, underscoring the pop-star-turned-politician’s enduring appeal, particularly among Uganda’s youth.
But the festivities quickly descended into chaos. Security forces clashed with demonstrators, dispersing the rally with tear gas and rubber bullets. Witnesses described running battles between police and protesters, leaving an uneasy calm in the city. Authorities defended their response, citing public order concerns, while opposition figures accused the government of intimidation and heavy-handedness.
Bobi Wine, who rose to prominence as a musician before launching his political career, has long positioned himself as the face of Uganda’s opposition to President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986. His entry into the 2026 race sets the stage for another high-stakes contest, following a turbulent 2021 election that saw widespread allegations of vote rigging and suppression.
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Political analysts say Wine’s candidacy could reignite tensions in Uganda’s polarized political environment. With Museveni seeking to extend his decades-long rule, the campaign season is expected to be marked by fierce competition, as well as scrutiny from the international community.
For now, Wine’s supporters remain defiant. “We are ready for change,” one demonstrator told local media, his voice barely audibles over chants of *“People Power!”, the slogan of Wine’s movement.
Uganda now braces for what promises to be a heated election season, with security concerns already at the forefront?
