Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine with partner Babie Itungo talking to the press following his nomination
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, has been officially nominated to contest in the 2026 presidential elections.
The nomination took place at the Electoral Commission grounds in Lubowa on Wednesday, marking the close of the nomination process.
Bobi Wine, who joins five other candidates in the race, was handed a copy of the national voters register and assigned a state security detail by Justice Simon Byabakama, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
In a post on his X handle, Bobi Wine described the incumbent as a man living in the 1930’s.
“The man we’re running against! No wonder he continues to run down our country and make it a laughing stock. A man who is living in the 1930s cannot come close to solving the problems of 2026.”
Addressing journalists shortly after his nomination, in the middle of a heavy downpour, the opposition leader declared that the country was entering what he called the “final phase” of a long struggle against poor governance and repression.
“My nomination today represents not just a campaign but a protest against the injustice our people have endured for over four decades,” Bobi Wine said.
He accused past and present leaders of betraying Ugandans by promising liberation but instead ruling with oppression. “Uganda’s wealth and resources have been exploited to serve the interests of a few, while the majority remain trapped in poverty,” he said.
Reflecting on the 2021 elections, he reminded supporters of the sacrifices made by his movement, including deaths, imprisonment, and harassment.
“We have voted before and seen elections stolen before. Many ask why we risk going back to the polls. The answer is simple — giving up is far worse. We must continue moving forward,” he added.
Bobi Wine described the 2026 elections as different from past contests, framing them as a mass protest at the ballot box rather than just a political competition.
While acknowledging the likelihood of intimidation, arrests, and violence, he urged his supporters to remain disciplined and courageous.
He closed his speech with a message of hope: “This is not the usual election. The protest begins now, and freedom will come at the end of the day.”
With his nomination sealed, Bobi Wine now heads into the campaign period promising a spirited fight for what he calls a “new Uganda.”
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