Ugandan opposition leader and pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine has been cleared to stand for president, setting up a rematch with long-serving incumbent Yoweri Museveni.
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, first challenged Museveni in the 2021 elections, coming in second. Following the results, he rejected the outcome, alleging victory had been stolen through pre-ticked ballots, intimidation by security forces, falsified results, and voter bribery.
Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, was cleared to seek another term on Tuesday. If re-elected, his rule would span nearly half a century.
“Our country is one of the richest countries on the planet in terms of natural resources so… our problem is not lack of wealth,” Wine said after being confirmed as a candidate by the electoral commission in Kampala. “Our problem is lack of leadership, leadership that serves the people instead of terrorising them and exploiting them.”
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Kyagulanyi’s party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has repeatedly accused Museveni’s government of kidnapping, illegal detention, and torture of its supporters and officials. In January, Museveni’s son and military head, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, allegedly threatened to behead Wine, and in May admitted to detaining a missing NUP official in his basement while issuing threats of violence.
Dozens of NUP supporters and officials have faced prolonged imprisonment on charges the opposition claims are politically motivated. The government, however, maintains that detentions are based on legitimate suspicions of criminal activity.
“We are fighting for a better Uganda, we are fighting for the farmers… for the young graduates who have no jobs, we are fighting for the ghetto people, those ghetto youth whose future is being stolen,” Wine said.
Nicknamed the “Ghetto President” for his popularity in a Kampala slum where his music career began in the early 2000s, Wine claims his background positions him to address the needs of Uganda’s large youth population.
