By Aggrey Baba
After years of alleged media blackouts, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), finally made his long-anticipated return to NBS Television for a live interview, on April 1. For his supporters, this moment was more than just a media appearance, but a symbolic triumph against perceived censorship.
Accompanied by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya and other party members who remained behind the scenes, Kyagulanyi seized the platform to articulate his party’s achievements, the challenges they continue to face, and their vision for Uganda’s political future.
During the NBS Barometer program, Kyagulanyi acknowledged that while the journey toward change had been fraught with obstacles, progress had undeniably been made.
“We are not where we want to be, but we have made some strides despite the challenges,” he stated, pointing to the expansion of the NUP’s organizational infrastructure, highlighting the establishment of new offices and a leadership training school.
According to the Kavule-based party chief , these developments are critical in nurturing a new generation of Ugandan leaders dedicated to democratic governance.
However, the opposition leader was quick to highlight systemic barriers hindering meaningful political progress. He revealed that although NUP had formulated and submitted a party constitution to the Electoral Commission, it had yet to be approved due to what he termed ‘invisible hands’ interfering in the process. This, he argued, was yet another indication of the government’s unwillingness to create a level playing field for political competition.
He also took direct aim at President Yoweri Museveni, also National Resistance movement (NRM) party Chairman, suggesting that the head of state was either uninformed about the realities on the ground or was deliberately misleading the public.
“President Museveni is either ignorant of what’s happening due to the wrong information he is being fed, or he is lying.”
The Ghetto President, as formerly known, further acknowledged internal challenges within the opposition, cautioning that not everyone who claims to be against the government is genuinely committed to change, and as well, not everyone pretending to support, or align with Museveni really does.“We have seen many of our colleagues turn against us,” he noted, adding that even within security forces, there were those who opposed state violence but were powerless to resist it. This, he suggested, was an indication that the Ugandan struggle for democracy was not a battle of personalities but a fight for national values.
Turning to the 2026 general elections, Kyagulanyi reaffirmed his party’s commitment to a protest vote, a non-violent and constitutional means of challenging the status quo.
Addressing previous speculation about his ‘Eggaali’ mobilization strategy, during the reported security brutality on the opposition and journalists in the recent Kawempe by-election where his party flag bearer, Elias Nalukoola emerged the winner, the former Kyadondo East legislator clarified that this referred to organized voter mobilization teams tasked with ensuring electoral integrity.
He reiterated that these groups were intended to empower citizens to cast their votes and protect them, not to engage in any form of confrontation, adding that the state is just in deep panic, and they would easily get scared even if he just coughs.
As speculation about his potential candidacy in the upcoming election mounts, Kyagulanyi made it clear that he remains committed to leading the party if entrusted with the mandate. “I am available for my party if they choose to entrust me as their flag bearer in 2026,” he clarified.
However, he emphasized that his ultimate goal was not merely electoral success but securing systemic political transformation.
On the issue of electoral reforms, Kyagulanyi argued that Uganda’s democratic progress is hindered by the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual. “The main electoral reform needed is to ensure that it’s not an individual who appoints the Electoral Commission. Without that reform, all other electoral reforms are useless,” he asserted.
The situka tutambule singer also sought to address misconceptions about his leadership and ethnic identity, stating: “I am a Muganda who is proud of my culture, but I lead a group of Ugandans from different regions, and we have a deputy president in every region,” he clarified, dismissing claims that his political ambitions were limited to Buganda-centric interests.
Responding to persistent speculation about his relationship with Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Kyagulanyi dismissed any close ties, explaining that while he had known Muhoozi in the past, their ideologies had since taken divergent paths. “At this point, we have diverging ideologies,” he remarked, signaling a clear ideological rift between himself and the first son.
When asked for his take on Muhoozi’s social media posts where he has consistently threatened to behead him, Tata Kampala boldly replied that much as these threats curry water, he, based on the limited time he had, to addres many other important matters, would concentrate on more serious issues other than wasting time on someone who most of the times, according to him (Kyagulanyi), posts under the influence of alcohol.
Summing up his political stance, the man from Magere distanced himself from the traditional opposition framework, stating: “We are not opposition, but we’re an option. We are not here for positions, but rather, aiming to take over the government.” This statement underscored his belief that the NUP is not merely challenging the ruling regime but positioning itself as the rightful successor to national leadership.
Kyagulanyi’s return to NBS Television was more than just a media interview, but a strategic move in the broader political chess game.
For his supporters, it was a moment of vindication and renewed hope. Whether his words will translate into tangible political change remains to be seen, but one certain thing is that the battle for Uganda’s future is far from over, and Ugandans should now brace for even a tighter race, come 2026. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
