The former musician turned politician aims to dethrone the long-standing president, who is pursuing an unprecedented seventh term.
Published On 24 Sep 2025
Robert Kyagulanyi, widely recognized by his stage name Bobi Wine, has been officially authorized by Uganda’s Electoral Commission to participate in the upcoming presidential race set for January. This decision comes shortly after his initial candidacy was rejected.
With this clearance, the former pop icon turned political figure is positioned to challenge the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who is campaigning for an unprecedented seventh term. Museveni, aged 81, has maintained power since 1986.
In the previous 2021 election, Bobi Wine garnered 35% of the votes, while Museveni secured 58%, marking the narrowest victory margin of his lengthy tenure.
Following the election results, Wine alleged electoral fraud and ballot manipulation. The post-election period was marred by violent protests that resulted in at least 54 fatalities. Subsequently, Wine was confined to his residence under house arrest.
Currently, Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) holds the largest opposition bloc in parliament, drawing significant backing from urban working-class populations.
President Museveni has called on his followers to support his vision for Uganda’s future, especially after the Electoral Commission confirmed his nomination near the capital, Kampala. Notably, a 2017 constitutional amendment abolished the presidential age cap of 75, enabling Museveni to extend his rule.
Worries About Coercion and Harassment
According to Al Jazeera correspondent Catherine Soi reporting from Kampala, Bobi Wine remains the principal challenger to Museveni’s dominance.
“He insists that the previous election was manipulated and that his votes were stolen, vowing that such irregularities will not recur,” Soi explained.
She added that Wine’s party members and supporters have reported intimidation tactics ahead of the election, including arrests and alleged abductions by security personnel.
The Electoral Commission chairperson conveyed to Al Jazeera that efforts are underway to ensure a secure environment for opposition campaigns and to prevent excessive police force.
Nevertheless, many Ugandans express skepticism about the election’s fairness, doubting it will be free, transparent, or credible.
Another key opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, aged 68, remains detained in Kampala on treason accusations after being apprehended in Kenya last November. Besigye, who has unsuccessfully contested four presidential elections against Museveni, denies all charges.
