Ugandan Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Plans 2026 Presidential Run, Condemns Western Silence on Rights

Ugandan opposition leader and pop star Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has announced his intention to run again in the January 2026 presidential elections against long-serving President Yoweri Museveni. Wine, who came second in the disputed 2021 election, has accused the current regime of widespread fraud, ballot stuffing, violence, and corruption while criticizing Western governments for their silence on Uganda's human rights abuses, including the torture and illegal detention of his supporters. His campaign has faced significant repression, including the abduction and alleged torture of his chief bodyguard, Eddie Mutwe, by forces led by Museveni's son and military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Wine views the upcoming election as a critical opportunity to expose the regime's injustices and mobilize Ugandans to seek freedom and political change. Despite government denials of election fraud and human rights violations, Wine insists on addressing these issues and prioritizes restoring political freedoms and cracking down on corruption if elected. The situation has attracted international attention amid Uganda's strategic alliances with Western nations, particularly in regional security efforts against jihadists.