Ugandan Elections and the curious case of Bobi Wine

Asari Ndem, October 18, 2018

There is a new crop of young African politicians determined to break the status quo and challenge despots at the helm of affairs on the continent. One of these politicians is Uganda’s Bobi Wine, a musician, actor, businessman and parliamentarian representing the Kyaddondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda’s Central Region.

But, who is Bobi Wine and why is he important to note in the tapestry of Ugandan politics?

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was born in 1982 in what was known as the Mpigi District in Uganda. Despite growing up in Kamwookya slum in the northeast part of Kampala, Uganda’s capital, Wine graduated from the Makerere University in Kampala where he studied Music, Dance and Drama.

After University, Wine used his music to launch himself onto the pop scene in the country. By creating a fusion of dancehall, reggae, afrobeats while passing across a socially conscious message, Wine soon became a household name in the East African music scene. So, when he announced his candidacy in last year’s by-elections, the people were already familiar with him and his advocacy work. His campaign style drew attention from Ugandans both at home and abroad, and it was no surprise that he won the elections by such a wide margin, beating two seasoned politicians from the strongest political parties within the country.

On the 14th of August this year, supporters of the independent candidate for parliament, Kasiano Wadri, allegedly obstructed and attacked President Museveni’s convoy in the northern town of Arua, near Gulu. Museveni’s motorcade was reportedly struck with stones, leading to clashes between state security forces and protesters. Following this, Wine, an outspoken critic of the Ugandan president, revealed through a social media post that the police had intentionally shot at his vehicle, killing his driver (Yasiin Kawuma), because of his support for Wadri over the official pro-Museveni candidate in Arua.

The following day, Wine was arrested and made to appear before a government court on the charges of inciting violence and the unlawful possession of weapons. The Atlantic reported: “Following a brief interaction in court, Wine’s lawyers reported that their client had been brutalized. His face was swollen; he had sustained multiple fractures; and he had been so badly beaten that he couldn’t sit, stand, or walk. His injuries were so grave, they said, that for much of the hearing he had not even been fully conscious.”

Wine was subsequently released on bail and allowed to leave the country for medical treatment. However, he has since returned to the country, noting that although he is afraid he is still more than willing to keep pushing back against authoritative regimes flawed elections and bad democratic processes.

As it stands, the 74-year-old ‘strongman’ of Uganda is facing an increasingly agitated younger voter base, the erosion of the National Resistance Movement’s political model, and the growing prominence of social media in Uganda’s electoral scene. All these factors will only grow over time as Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. “Just over 48% of its population is 14 years and younger, while one in five (21.16%) of the total population are aged between 15 and 24. Only 2% of the population is 65 years or older.” This points to more unrest in the future of Ugandan elections and Museveni’s problems have only just begun.

Watch the video below to find out 5 things about Bobi Wine you should know:

 

 

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