Like the Busoga demonstrators, mobilise yourselves and protest for change - Bobi Wine

Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, made this call while speaking to NUP supporters at the newly acquired party headquarters at Makerere Kavule, along Bombo Road.

He noted that the 2021 general elections and the recent by-elections in Soroti, Kayunga, and Omoro have confirmed to him and all those who can see that elections will not end Museveni’s reign, so positive action is necessary to this end.

“We told you that we are not going in this election because we expect the Electoral Commission to declare us because we knew it works for Museveni. Now we have already exposed him everywhere. We have participated in elections but they have declared those who have not won. Now, we are asking ourselves why we continue voting. We want to tell you that our message is going to change. We are not going to just participate in an election even if they declare our people, there is no difference it will make. So, any election we go into should be an election to trigger change,” Kyagulanyi said.

Bobi Wine and NUP supporters Pulse

Don’t rely on me

Kyagulanyi asked called Ugandans not to rely on him to bring about change.

“If you see the people of Busoga demonstrating, start from where you are also. Mobilise yourselves for change, the election should just put you in action mood,” Kyagulanyi said.

Besigye’s influence

Kyagulanyi is now in agreement with Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and leader of the People's Front for Transition (PFT) pressure group, who has said all along that elections cannot remove Museveni from power.

Previously, in the build-up to the 2021 General Elections, Kyagulanyi said elections could abbreviate Museveni’s rule to a footnote in Uganda’s history.

Command us

Fred Nyanzi, the NUP National Secretary for Mobilisation, called upon Kyagulanyi, who is his younger brother, to command his supporters to demonstrate against the Museveni government as a means to overthrowing it. He added that waiting to challenge Museveni in 2026 would be merely waiting for another election to be rigged in the incumbent’s favour.

“Our people need a solution, they are tired of voting and the results are changed. Now that all parties have come together, NUP should lead in fighting for our victory. The time has come for you [Kyagulanyi] to come up and we demand our victory,” Nyanzi said.

He added, “The demonstrations we have had in the past have been uncoordinated but now we are waiting for you to command us and see how we chase Mr. Museveni. We can’t wait for 2026 for another election because they will still steal it.”

Don’t trust politicians

Kyagulanyi asked his supporters not to trust opposition politicians, as they would betray them. To clarify his point, he noted politicians such as Norbert Mao, Beti Kamya, Betty Amongi, and Joyce Ssebugwawo who have all seemingly crossed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

He conceded that there are NUP party members in bed with the NRM. However, he added, this should not demoralise the committed ones.