Kampala Uganda: Uganda is heading into a tense presidential election next week as opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, calls on voters to cast a “protest vote” against long-serving President Yoweri Museveni.
Bobi Wine, the leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been mobilizing thousands of supporters through massive rallies across the country, including strong turnouts in Mbarara and other urban centers. His campaign has attracted strong support from youths, musicians, and other public figures who say the election is a chance to vote against injustice, unemployment, corruption, and poor service delivery.
The message of freedom has been successfully delivered to the people of Mbarara district. We are thankful to all who showed up massively to demonstrate their support. Mwebare munonga our people of Ankole.#ANewUgandaNow#ProtestVote2026#PeoplePowerOurPower pic.twitter.com/IHo7aXWtl2
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) January 8, 2026
Many young Ugandans say they are deeply invested in this election because they feel locked out of jobs and opportunities, despite forming the largest part of the population. For them, the vote represents hope for freedom, dignity, and economic change.
President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking another term, has been campaigning mainly in northern Uganda and rural areas. He has highlighted government programs such as livestock restocking, fish farming, and agricultural support under the Parish Development Model (PDM). Museveni argues that his leadership has brought stability and economic growth, especially in communities recovering from past conflicts.
In recent elections, Museveni has won by shrinking margins, a sign of growing political competition. In the last presidential vote, his margin over the opposition was narrower than in earlier elections, especially in urban areas where Bobi Wine enjoys strong support. This has raised expectations of a tighter race, despite official opinion polls showing Museveni leading with 64% against Bobi Wine’s 27%.
Today, together with the NRM leadership, I returned to Lango Sub-region where I held my first rally in Kole District. I explained that my earlier absence here was due to Cabinet engagements to shift cattle restocking to a PDM-based approach, which has now been agreed upon and… pic.twitter.com/HZAeupvZAq
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) January 8, 2026
The opposition disputes these figures, claiming internal data suggests a much closer contest. NUP leaders say the mood on the ground shows widespread desire for change, particularly among first-time voters and unemployed youths.
The Electoral Commission has announced that ballot papers and voting materials are being dispatched nationwide, assuring Ugandans of a free and fair election. However, the political atmosphere remains tense, with concerns over security, voter intimidation, and the credibility of the final results.
Uganda prepares to vote next week, the election is shaping up as a defining moment not just between Museveni and Bobi Wine, but between generations, with young people pushing hard for a future free from injustice and joblessness.
