By Patrice Katuma
Mbale City, Uganda – Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has urged Ugandans to unite and transform the 2026 general elections into a powerful protest vote against what he describes as impunity, corruption, and government neglect. Speaking to a gathering of National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders and supporters from over 40 districts in Mbale City on Monday, Kyagulanyi painted a grim picture of the country under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) led by President Yoweri Museveni.
“NUP is not merely a political party, we are a movement. We are People Power. We are Ugandans united to change the leadership of this country,” Kyagulanyi declared, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to address the nation’s challenges.
He accused the NRM government of failing Ugandans by pointing to deteriorating infrastructure, under-resourced hospitals, and the rapidly increasing cost of living. “Many of us did not join politics because we love it, but because we are tired. This is not politics. It is a rebellion. A mission for freedom,” he stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Kyagulanyi further alleged widespread misuse of public funds, reiterating claims that Members of Parliament were bribed with significant sums to pass controversial bills. He passionately expressed the sacrifices he and his supporters are willing to make for change. “We are dying and ready to continue dying until we see change. We’ve been imprisoned and are ready to be imprisoned for the truth,” he said.
Reiterating his long-held belief that NUP won the 2021 presidential election, which he claims was rigged, Kyagulanyi called for early and meticulous preparation for the upcoming 2026 polls. He characterized the election not just as a political contest but as an opportunity for Ugandans to voice their dissent. “This vote is a protest vote against theft, impunity, abductions, and moral decay. We must organize in our communities and villages,” he emphasized.
He encouraged Ugandans to step up and contest elective offices at all levels, advocating for a new leadership model that prioritizes vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and the economy.
While efforts to reach NRM leaders for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, the meeting in Mbale City saw a prominent defection. Massa Musa, the former LC3 chairperson of Mbale Industrial Division and a former leader within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), officially joined the NUP. “I’m tired of being in opposition without a path to power. NUP is the only viable vehicle for change,” Musa stated, announcing his intention to run for Mbale City mayor on the NUP ticket.
NUP official Ali Bukeni, known as Nubian Li, further urged young people to vie for leadership positions and condemned the alleged vote rigging that took place in the 2021 elections.
Despite a heavy police presence throughout Mbale City during the event, the NUP meeting proceeded without any disruption. The call to action from Bobi Wine marks a significant step in NUP’s preparations for the 2026 elections and underscores the growing political tensions in Uganda.
