Bobi Wine slams UPDF law, sets terms for dialogue with Museveni
Opposition NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine delivers his remarks in Kampala on May 21, 2025, during a press conference. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
What you need to know:
- As NUP received over 200 party joiners including seven serving MPs, Bobi Wine laid down firm conditions for dialogue with President Museveni.
Heavily armed soldiers and plainclothed operatives surrounded Uganda’s main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, sparking tension across the area.
Inside, opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) delivered a rebuke of the military and government, setting tough conditions for any dialogue with President Museveni, 80.
“They call us criminals, but it’s them turning our party headquarters into a military camp,” said the pop star-turned-politician.
Military men are seen outside the NUP headquarters in Kampala on May 21, 2025 as the opposition party held an event to welcome new members. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Military men patrol the NUP headquarters in Kampala on May 21, 2025 as the opposition party held an event to welcome new members. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
“You soldiers deployed here look hungry and broke because you serve a regime that steals from you. We are fighting to liberate you—whether you support us or not…We shall liberate you,” Bobi Wine told hundreds packed in Kavule, Makerere.
The deployment came just a day after Parliament passed the controversial UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2025, expanding military courts' jurisdiction over civilians—despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring such trials unconstitutional.
“They’re passing laws to protect a dictatorship, but we are not freedom negotiators—we are freedom fighters. We shall not stop until this country is free,” Bobi Wine remarked.
The NUP event, held under heavy security surveillance, saw the party welcome more than 200 defectors, including seven Members of Parliament, in what leaders described as a “surge of national resistance” to military rule.
The MPs included Patrick Nsanja (Ntenjeru South), John Paul Mpalanyi (Kyotera County), Fortunate Nantongo (Kyotera Woman), Joan Namutaawe (Masaka Woman), Dr Timothy Batuwa (Jinja Southeast), David Isabirye Agha (Jinja North), and Luttamaguzi Ssemakula (Nakaseke South).
“We shall plant a candidate in every constituency that has a ruling NRM party MP that backed this UPDF bill,” declared NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya. According to him, over 200 people were unveiled as party joiners on Wednesday, including the MPs.
Opposition NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi poses for a photo with seven MPs who announced that they had joined the party at its headquarters in Kampala on May 21, 2025. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
Bobi Wine emphasized that the NUP's latest recruits had joined "a revolutionary not ordinary party."
"You are the fuel of this liberation. Ensure that you are moral. People must always trust the messenger. Conduct yourself in a way that attracts respect," he urged.
Also on Wednesday, Bobi Wine laid down firm conditions for any talks with Museveni.
“You want dialogue? First free our people and all political prisoners. End the abductions. Guarantee a free and fair 2026 election,” he said, emphasizing sharply: “Only then can we talk.”
Opposition NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi gestures as he hands over a party membership card to journalist-turned-politician Zambali Mukasa in Kampala on May 21, 2025. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMRIZI
Referring to the recent detention and alleged torture of his civilian bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu aka Eddie Mutwe, in military custody, Bobi Wine warned that “the regime’s tactics would not deter the opposition.”
“When you look at Eddie Mutwe’s pictures, it’s easy to contemplate giving up. But we shall not give up,” he said. “You can torture us, kill us, or jail us—but we are not turning back.”
He also warned Ugandans not to be passive: “This government is not just targeting us. You civilians are the real target. Maybe I’m just standing in the way. But don’t allow Museveni to rig yet another election.”
People attend a press briefing of the opposition NUP party at its headquarters in Kampala on May 21, 2025. PHOTO/MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
As soldiers maintained their grip outside, Bobi Wine closed his address with a call to resist fear: “The deployment you see here…you won’t even see it if Mulago National Referral Hospital is burning. But everything they’re doing only proves that change is near. 2026 must be a protest vote. We must use it to change our forever destiny.”
Uganda’s presidential elections are scheduled for early 2026, with Bobi Wine widely expected to be Museveni’s main challenger. However, the lead-up has been overshadowed by fears of electoral violence.
