Kampala, Uganda – Ugandan musician-turned-opposition leader, Bobi Wine, has reaffirmed his commitment to challenge President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming 2026 presidential elections, positioning himself once again as the voice of Uganda’s youth and the face of the country’s pro-democracy movement.
Speaking to BBC Africa’s Victoria Uwonkunda on the Africa Daily podcast, Bobi Wine—real name Robert Kyagulanyi—emphasized that he remains relevant to Uganda’s younger generation, who he says are desperate for change after nearly four decades under President Museveni’s rule.
“Museveni has been in power since 1986. That’s longer than most Ugandans have been alive,” said Wine. “Our country is stuck in the past, and it is the youth who must rise and shape the future.”
Wine’s political journey has been marked by a series of confrontations with the authorities. He has been arrested multiple times, reportedly tortured, and narrowly escaped assassination attempts. Yet, despite the risks, he insists he feels a responsibility to confront what he describes as a system mired in corruption and authoritarianism.
“Silence is not an option,” he told the BBC. “We are up against a military regime disguised as a civilian government, but we believe the people of Uganda are ready for change.”
President Museveni, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, is widely expected to seek another term in office despite growing calls for a generational shift in leadership. Critics accuse his government of clamping down on dissent, restricting freedoms, and manipulating the democratic process.
Bobi Wine’s 2021 presidential campaign drew massive crowds and sparked hope among many young Ugandans. Though the official results declared Museveni the winner by a wide margin, Wine and his supporters alleged widespread electoral fraud.
As 2026 approaches, Bobi Wine says he is preparing for another battle—not just at the ballot box, but also in the hearts and minds of Ugandans yearning for a new era.
“Hope is not lost,” he said. “We are building a movement that will outlive fear.”
