Bobi Wine bids farewell to Kyadondo voters: What next?
Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine (right), addresses People Power supporters, who turned up for late Yasin Kawuma’s Dua prayers in Lusanja, Wakiso District, on August 13. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Kyadondo East Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, told his constituents that he will not run for the position in 2021 because he is focusing on ending the 33-year-reign of President Museveni.
“My Kyadondo people, I would like to tell you that this is the last time I am your MP. I will be challenging President Museveni in 2021,” Bobi Wine told the crowd that had gathered on August 13 to commemorate the death of his former driver Yasin Kawuma.
The people of Kyadondo East received this farewell message with mixed reactions as some of them wondered who would replace him.
This comes just two years after Kyadondo East voted for the legislator with a landslide victory against Mr Apollo Kantinti of Forum Democratic Change, National Resistance Movement’s Sitenda Sebalu, Independents Muwada Nkunyingi and Mr Sowed Kayongo.
Bobi Wine polled 25,659 votes, while Mr Sebalu got 4,556, Mr Kantinti scored 1,832, Mr Muwada got 575, while Mr Kayongo came last with 377 votes.
Last month, Bobi Wine unveiled his regional coordination team ahead of the 2021 General Election and emphasised that he had fixed his eyes on the presidency. The team he unveiled had political leaders from various political arenas.
Last year, there were reports that Bobi Wine’s younger brother, Mr Michael Mukwaya, also known as Mikie Wine, was being groomed to succeed the elder brother.
Mikie Wine later cleared the air saying he was not interested.
At the time Bobi Wine bade farewell to his constituents, he mentioned some names, including former competitor for the constituency seat, Mr Muwada Nkunyingi, Kasangati Town Council mayor Tony Ssempebwa and Kawempe North legislator Latif Ssebagala and told them that they would take charge.
Allegations
Multiple sources told Daily Monitor that Bobi Wine has a soft spot for Mr Ssempebwa replacing him having played a key role during the campaigns.
“He has been grooming Ssempebwa the mayor of Kasangati. Most likely he wants him to go to Parliament in 2021,” the source said.
People Power spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi said Bobi Wine was heading for a bigger aspiration.
“Bobi Wine says he will not stand again for Kyadondo East Parliamentary seat simply because he will be running for presidency against President Museveni. The people of Kyadondo will at an appropriate time select a replacement for Mr Kyagulanyi,” Mr Ssenyonyi said in a text message.
