Take the Odinga path and work with Museveni – Mwenda urges Bobi Wine

Veteran journalist and political commentator Andrew Mwenda has urged National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine to reconsider his post-election approach to politics and instead seek engagement with President Yoweri Museveni for the sake of national stability and long-term influence.

Speaking during an appearance on UBC TV last night, Mwenda argued that Uganda’s elections have historically fallen short of being free and fair, but said the opposition continues to mishandle the political dilemma created by President Museveni’s long-standing dominance. 

According to Mwenda, the opposition faces two stark choices: participate in a flawed electoral process and risk legitimising it through defeat, or boycott elections altogether and lose relevance by failing to present its case to the public.

Mwenda said the opposition has generally made the right decision to participate in elections, not necessarily to win, but to communicate its ideas and vision to Ugandans. 

However, he faulted opposition leaders for what he described as a contradictory approach. 

“If you have chosen to participate and legitimise the process, you cannot then turn around and say it is flawed once the outcome does not favour you,” Mwenda argued. "If you have accepted to be part of the process; you are bound by its outcomes."

He further criticised the opposition for failing to innovate politically, despite being fully aware of what he called President Museveni’s “well-known election toolkit”.

Mwenda said nothing that happened in the recent elections should have surprised opposition candidates, yet their responses remained predictable and ineffective. He suggested that defeating entrenched power requires creativity, including new tactics, manoeuvres and strategies to overcome institutional and political roadblocks.

Turning specifically to Bobi Wine, Mwenda said that if he were in the NUP leader’s position, he would concede defeat after the elections and seek a working relationship with Museveni. 

He pointed to Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga as an example, noting that Odinga accepted “handshakes” after disputed elections and chose cooperation over confrontation. Mwenda credited Odinga with helping to hold Kenya together during periods of political tension.

"I feel like if I was Bobi Wine, after the election; I would not only concede but also find a way to work with Museveni. This is where I think Raila Odinga was amazing. Twice he won an election and twice he was cheated.

"But twice he did a handshake and found a way of working with the winners. Raila held Kenya together; Bobi Wine and his people are trying to tear Uganda apart. Once the election ends, you stop being a radical, grievance-driven activist,” Mwenda said.

He added that opposition leaders should transition into responsible stakeholders in the political system. He argued that continued defiance and boycotts risk tearing the country apart and limit the opposition’s ability to shape Uganda’s future.

Mwenda concluded that constructive engagement with the ruling National Resistance Movement could have allowed the opposition to influence national destiny more effectively than the path of sustained resistance they have chosen.