Bobi Wine Announces Presidential Bid for Uganda's 2026 Elections

Kampala, Uganda – Opposition leader and musician-turned-politicianRobert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has officially accepted the nomination to run for president of Uganda in the 2026–2031 elections.

In a fiery speech shared on his official X account on Sunday, Bobi Wine expressed gratitude to Ugandans for continuing to place their trust in him since his first presidential bid in 2021, framing his campaign as the continuation of a struggle for freedom and true independence.

“Uganda Is Not Poor, Uganda Is Rich”

Addressing his supporters, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader accused President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, of presiding over a system built on oppression, corruption, and exploitation.

“Our country is one of the richest countries in terms of natural resources. So our problem is not lack of wealth. Our problem is lack of leadership — leadership that serves the people instead of exploiting them,” Bobi Wine declared.

He described Ugandans as resourceful, young, and creative, insisting that the nation’s challenges stem from governance failures rather than scarcity.

READ MORE: Bobi Wine was not shot - says Ugandan police

Remembering 2021

Bobi Wine acknowledged the sacrifices of his supporters during the 2021 elections, which he claims were marred by violence and fraud.

He noted that many opposition supporters were arrested, tortured, killed, or remain missing, yet he insisted the struggle must continue.

“If we surrender now, that means the fighting spirit of Ritah Nabukenya, Frank Senteza, Yasin Kauma, and many others has been defeated. It means they died in vain,” he said.

Call for a “Protest Vote”

The opposition leader described the upcoming 2026 election as more than a political contest, calling it a “protest vote” against decades of injustice.

“We are going into this election as a way of protesting against all the injustice that has happened to us for 40 years. We must mobilize Ugandans to come out and vote in very large numbers — numbers too big to rig.”

He emphasized that the struggle would remain non-violent and constitutional, urging citizens to use the ballot box as their tool of resistance.

Appeal to the Diaspora

Bobi Wine also reached out to Ugandans living abroad, noting their significant contributions to the economy through remittances, which he described as “over two billion dollars every year.

” He called them the “biggest investors” in Uganda and urged them to play an active role in mobilizing for change.

Bobi Wine’s nomination sets the stage for a rematch with President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

While his first bid in 2021 ended in a disputed result, his latest message signals a determined push to rally opposition supporters both at home and abroad.