What’s it like running for president of Uganda? ‘Horrifying,’ says Bobi Wine. The popstar-turned-politician has been riding a wave of popular support since he embarked on his bid to dislodge Yoweri Museveni, the ruling strongman who has held power since 1986. Wine’s popularity has got him in a lot of trouble. ‘I’ve been more or less declared a public enemy,’ he says. ‘In Uganda it is the biggest crime to stand up against injustice.’
Wine – real name, Robert Kyagulanyi – spoke to New Internationalist before setting out on the campaign trail. A lot has happened since. In November, on the day he handed in his nomination papers, police harassed him, smashing his car window and dragging him away from his supporters. Two weeks later, as he met voters in eastern Uganda, he was arrested for violating Covid-19 restrictions, sparking protests across the country. Soldiers and police filled the streets, firing teargas and live ammunition (the president said that 54 people died, but the true number was almost certainly higher). It was the most significant unrest for a decade, with more tensions expected ahead of polling day on 14 January.
