Uganda’s main opposition leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has launched a nationwide mobilization campaign dubbed “Phone Call Day”, just one day before the highly anticipated general election scheduled for January 15.
The initiative, organized by the National Unity Platform (NUP), aims to boost voter turnout, encourage peaceful participation, and remind citizens to protect their votes.
The campaign runs from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., calling on supporters across the country and in the diaspora to pick up their phones and contact friends, relatives, and colleagues. Each participant is encouraged to reach at least 50 people, spreading a simple but powerful message: go and vote, vote for change, and remain vigilant against electoral fraud.
A People-Powered Campaign
According to NUP organizers, the goal is to mobilize 100,000 callers who can collectively reach over 5 million Ugandans in a single day. This people-powered approach reflects the party’s reliance on grassroots mobilization rather than state machinery.
The campaign is being driven online using trending hashtags such as #ProtestVote2026, which has gained significant traction on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp. Supporters are sharing screenshots, voice notes, and short videos of themselves making calls, turning a simple action into a national movement.
Leaders Join the Call
Several prominent NUP figures have openly taken part in the exercise. Dr. Shamim Nambassa and Hon. Namutyaba Sylvia shared their experiences online, posting images and messages showing them actively calling voters and encouraging participation. Their involvement has helped energize supporters and give the campaign a sense of unity and urgency.
In a lighter moment, some supporters jokingly said they were even calling old friends and ex-partners just to make sure the message of voting for change reached as many people as possible. Despite the humor, the underlying message remains serious and focused.
High Stakes and Rising Tension
The January 15 election is shaping up to be one of the most contested in Uganda’s history. Bobi Wine is facing off against President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades. The political environment remains tense, with widespread concerns about security, voter intimidation, and the credibility of the electoral process.
In a tweet shared widely online, Bobi Wine reminded supporters of what he described as a looming threat to the people’s will:
“REMINDER ABOUT TOMORROW’S PLOT. Reach out to at least 50 people with the #ProtestVote2026 message!”
The message underscores NUP’s belief that only massive citizen participation and vigilance can safeguard democracy.
NUP has emphasized that Phone Call Day is a peaceful, lawful action meant to empower voters, not provoke violence. The party continues to urge supporters to remain calm, organized, and committed to nonviolent change.
REMINDER ABOUT TOMORROW’S PLOT. Reach out to at least 50 people with the #ProtestVote2026 message! 📞 📞 📞 ☎️ 📱 pic.twitter.com/0bULNvEP6a
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 6, 2026
Uganda approaches Election Day, this nationwide phone campaign highlights the growing role of citizen-led action in shaping the country’s political future. Whether through a simple phone call or a shared message online, millions of Ugandans are being reminded that their voice—and their vote—matters.
