Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine says the country’s political climate is worsening rapidly ahead of presidential elections scheduled for January 2026, accusing the government of escalating threats and intimidation against him and his supporters. In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, the 43-year-old former pop star—born Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu—said he has faced a surge in death threats, particularly from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the powerful son of President Yoweri Museveni and commander of Uganda’s armed forces.
“The threats come in no unclear terms,” Wine said. “They are meant to send fear down the nerves of all those who stand with me.” He cited recent online statements from Gen. Kainerugaba, including one in January where the general claimed he would “cut off” Wine’s head if allowed, and another in May suggesting he was holding Wine’s bodyguard “in my basement.” The bodyguard, when later brought to court, appeared injured and unable to walk—raising concerns of torture. Bobi Wine has been a leading challenger to Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986 and is now one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. In the 2021 presidential election, Wine garnered 35% of the vote—the highest ever by an opposition figure—while Museveni won 58%, his lowest share yet. Wine alleged widespread electoral fraud and ballot stuffing, but Uganda’s Electoral Commission rejected those claims.
Despite the risks, Wine insists he will continue mobilizing his National Unity Platform (NUP) party, which holds the most opposition seats in Parliament. “Our resolve has become firmer,” he said. Wine also criticized the increasing use of state power to suppress dissent. In June, police raided the NUP’s headquarters in Kampala, and the party reports that dozens of its members have been abducted or detained without trial since 2021. President Museveni continues to paint Wine as a puppet of foreign interests and questions his loyalty to Uganda. However, Wine, who calls himself the “ghetto president” due to his roots in a poor Kampala neighborhood, maintains strong support among urban youth and low-income communities seeking political change.
Museveni has recently stepped up his campaign efforts in Kampala, eyeing the same demographic base that forms Wine’s core support. Meanwhile, Gen. Kainerugaba’s increasing political visibility has fueled concerns about dynastic succession in a country that has never had a peaceful transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1962. Security agencies have warned all opposition leaders, including Wine, not to organize independent security for rallies. Kainerugaba said government-provided security will be assigned to all presidential candidates. With just months to go before the formal campaign season begins, Bobi Wine says Uganda is at a crossroads. “This is no longer just about me,” he said. “It’s about the soul of our country.”
