Bobi Wine Threatens Mass Protests Ahead of Uganda Presidential Election

Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine has warned he will call for mass protests if President Yoweri Museveni rigs Thursday’s presidential election. Wine emphasized non-violence but questioned whether power would be peacefully transferred. Human rights groups have reported crackdowns on dissent, while large youth crowds continue to rally behind Wine in Kampala.

Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine has warned that he will call for mass protests if President Yoweri Museveni manipulates this week’s presidential election, as more than 20 million Ugandans prepare to cast their votes on Thursday. Speaking to AFP, Wine said the opposition has repeatedly urged citizens to “take charge” of the election, describing the vote itself as a “protest vote” against long-standing grievances.
Museveni, 81, is widely expected to secure another term, extending his nearly four decades in power, supported by tight control of state institutions and security forces. Wine, 43, a popular singer-turned-politician, is running for president for the second time after his 2021 campaign was marred by allegations of fraud and violent repression.
Wine insisted that the opposition enjoys growing popular support, but he questioned whether power would be peacefully transferred. “Are we taking power? That’s a question for the population, the international community, and for General Museveni, who is holding power using the gun,” he said.
Human rights organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have accused Ugandan authorities of cracking down on dissent ahead of the vote, citing arrests of Wine’s supporters and other restrictive measures. While acknowledging that protests could escalate violence, Wine emphasized that non-violence remains central to the opposition’s strategy, asserting that even entrenched regimes can be forced out through peaceful mass demonstrations.
Across Kampala, large crowds of young supporters have continued to rally behind Wine, reflecting broader regional frustration in East Africa over shrinking democratic space, limited political freedoms, and lack of economic opportunities. The demonstrations underscore the high stakes of the election and the deep desire for change among a youthful and politically engaged population.