Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine and the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, has made some interesting claims. He believes that the government is up to some sneaky business, trying to use recent terror alerts as a means to put a stop to his nationwide tour.
During a rally in Luweero District, Bobi Wine didn’t hold back, saying, “I want you people to listen carefully and take this message to everybody in the Buganda Region. I am not very sure if the NRM regime will allow me to continue with my countrywide tours after this success in Luweero. They are scratching their heads and plotting against this success.”
But, even if the government manages to successfully hatch a plot to halt his tours, Bobi Wine isn’t one to be deterred easily. He boldly declared, “Anyway, even when they successfully plot and refuse me to continue with the tours, I will devise other means of delivering the same message because Uganda needs a second liberation from the Museveni-led NRM regime.”
In a further twist, Bobi Wine claimed to have received a message from the police warning him of potential terrorist threats against his life. He brushed it off as “a mockery and not very strange from a regime,” suggesting that these are just typical tricks used by the NRM regime against opposition politicians.
Efforts to get comments from the government and the police proved fruitless at the time of this report. However, the police spokesperson, Mr. Fred Enanga, had previously stated that NUP party activities wouldn’t face disruption as long as the party officials cooperate with the police.
During his tour, Bobi Wine drew substantial crowds as he traveled over 55 kilometers from his Magere home in Wakiso District to Luweero. He spent over five hours on the road before finally arriving at the rally venue, Kasana Sports Grounds in Luweero Town Council. There, he urged NUP supporters not to lose hope in their quest for a new leadership to replace the NRM regime.
He emphasized that issues like land grabbing, corruption, unexplained murders, politically motivated arrests, and a lack of tolerance are driving Ugandans to seek change through alternative leadership. According to Bobi Wine, the NRM has run out of ideas and is now preoccupied with birthday celebrations.
At the same rally, Mr. Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, criticized the government for failing to fulfill many pledges made to the people of Greater Luweero. He called for unity within the party and respect for party leadership structures.
Ms. Brenda Nabukenya, the Luweero Woman MP, highlighted the rampant land disputes in Greater Luweero Region, which she said hindered development. She noted that land grabbers had taken significant portions of land, leaving local residents feeling insecure.
Luweero District holds historical significance as the epicenter of the five-year guerrilla war that brought Mr. Museveni’s government to power in 1986. However, opposition politicians have long criticized the government for allegedly neglecting the area.
The NUP rally took place shortly after the government organized three farmer expos in Luweero, Nakaseke, and Nakasongola districts as part of its farmer education and mobilization strategy. Prime Minister Ms. Robinah Nabbanja reassured farmers of the government’s commitment to aiding their economic transformation by improving service delivery in the farming sector, despite what she referred to as “lies” from opposition politicians.