Ugandan pop star and opposition leader Bobi Wine remains a formidable challenger to President Yoweri Museveni ahead of Thursday’s election, despite facing a campaign marked by violence from security forces.
The 43-year-old politician, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has reported being beaten, tasered, and attacked with teargas and pepper spray while on the trail.
This is Wine’s second run for the presidency, and he has built his political identity on opposing what he terms Museveni’s “dictatorship.” While few expect him to win against the 81-year-old incumbent who has been in power since 1986, Wine has successfully mobilized millions of young, disenchanted Ugandans.
His platform focuses on restoring the rule of law, fighting corruption, and boosting employment, which resonates with a population where over 73% are under 30 and many face unemployment.
The government maintains that security forces have only intervened when campaign events violated rules, but the violence has been a persistent feature of the election, with security forces firing live ammunition and teargas at Wine’s events, leading to at least one death and hundreds of arrests.
Despite these challenges and a fractured opposition, Wine continues to campaign, stating his refusal to stop is a deliberate act to show the regime that he cannot be broken.
