Besigye endorses, donates cash to Bobi Wine for final campaign push

Members of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), opposition politicians and supporters on Sunday gathered at the Kasangati home of Col Dr Kizza Besigye for prayers, solidarity and renewed calls for unity ahead of this week’s general election. 

The event brought together families of political prisoners and leaders from different political fronts.

The gathering was hosted by Dr Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, who welcomed guests and thanked them for standing with political prisoners amid what she described as continued repression and grave violations of rights. 

Religious leaders, including Rev Father Kabogoza and Rev Bob Musamali, led prayers and offered words of encouragement to the families affected by political persecution.

Byanyima, in her remarks, praised National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, for inspiring citizens to take an active role in national politics. 

She said the presence of opposition leaders under one roof sent a powerful message of unity and shared purpose at a critical moment for the country.

In a notable gesture, Byanyima revealed that Dr Besigye, who is currently in prison, had sent a financial contribution to support Bobi Wine’s final campaign push. 

Quoting her husband, she explained that although he was not earning while incarcerated, he had reached out to friends to raise funds.

“He said while he is in prison he is not earning anything; but he has friends… so this is the little contribution that he sent, and he says that he wishes you to succeed,” Byanyima said as she handed over the money.

Receiving the contribution, Bobi Wine expressed gratitude and emphasised the importance of speaking with one voice. 

He warned that disunity only strengthened President Yoweri Museveni’s hand, adding that unity would give the opposition moral authority to demand change.

“If we can speak with one voice, then we have the moral authority to demand for that which we say. But if we speak with scattered voices, he (Museveni) will look for the dimmest voice and say, ‘that is the voice that spoke,’” he said 

In a later social media post, Bobi Wine described the day as “very special”, thanking Byanyima for hosting the prayers and Dr Besigye for his message of hope and generosity. He also saluted the resilience of families of political prisoners, concluding with a rallying call: “In unity, we shall overcome every obstacle on our path to freedom.”