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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has hit back strongly at President Yoweri Museveni and his son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, while at the same time making a surprising appeal to NRM supporters. He asked them to remain at polling stations after voting so that no one steals their votes, just as he has often urged his own supporters to do.
Kyagulanyi made these remarks on Saturday during a campaign rally for Mawokota South in Mpigi District. The rally attracted huge crowds, with supporters braving teargas, heavy police deployment, and military presence just to listen to him speak. The atmosphere showed the level of tension and excitement surrounding the 2026 general elections.
At the rally held at Mitala Maria, Kyagulanyi was asked to respond to claims made by the area incumbent MP, Yusuf Nsibambi. Nsibambi, who is on the FDC ticket, has been telling voters that he enjoys support from Kyagulanyi despite not being on the NUP ticket. He has insisted that Kyagulanyi secretly backs him.
According to Kyagulanyi, these claims are false and misleading. He told the crowd that Nsibambi has been lying to voters by claiming he is the main funder of NUP and that he even bought plates used by Kyagulanyi at his home in Magere. Kyagulanyi dismissed these claims as propaganda meant to confuse voters.
Kyagulanyi was also asked about claims that the red jacket often worn by Nsibambi was a gift from him. In response, Kyagulanyi strongly rejected the idea and said he has no political or personal ties with Nsibambi as being portrayed to the public.
When he took the microphone, Kyagulanyi openly accused Nsibambi of being part of what he called “political merchants and conmen” based at Najjanankumbi. He alleged that this group accepted Museveni’s money and betrayed opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is currently imprisoned in Luzira.
Kyagulanyi questioned how anyone could expect him to trust or support someone he believes was involved in betraying Besigye. He said Besigye’s continued detention is a result of that betrayal and that the same people now pretend to care about opposition politics while serving Museveni’s interests.
He made it clear to Mpigi voters that the official NUP candidate for Mawokota South is Martin Sejjemba. He emphasized that Sejjemba is on the NUP ticket and carries the umbrella symbol, and that voters should not be confused by politicians from other parties claiming NUP backing.
Kyagulanyi explained that he cannot control or discipline someone like Nsibambi who belongs to a different political party. He said real change requires unity and honesty, not double-dealing and political games.
He added that the old politics of pretending to be friends with everyone no longer works, especially when some politicians have openly joined groups that betrayed the opposition struggle and sided with Museveni.
Kyagulanyi said if Nsibambi were to return to Parliament, he would still remain part of the Najjanankumbi group, serving Museveni’s interests. For that reason, Kyagulanyi said he cannot be held responsible for such a leader or his actions.
Earlier at the same rally, NUP Vice President Muwanga Kivumbi supported Kyagulanyi’s message. He told voters that it makes no sense to vote for Kyagulanyi as president while voting for MPs from other parties when NUP has its own candidates.
The rally also featured emotional moments, including the introduction of musician and politician Mathias Walukagga. Kyagulanyi said Walukagga was blocked from standing not because he lacks qualifications, but because President Museveni fears popular leaders who can easily defeat NRM candidates.
Kyagulanyi vowed that he would not rest until Walukagga becomes the MP for Busiro East. He accused Museveni of deliberately blocking Walukagga to protect his preferred candidate, Abdul Kiyimba, from defeat.
In a bold statement, Kyagulanyi said that when he becomes president, he would cancel the results in constituencies where popular NUP candidates were unfairly blocked. He said this would allow by-elections to be held so that leaders like Walukagga can represent the people.
Kyagulanyi said the same approach would apply to other areas where NUP candidates were blocked by the Electoral Commission and courts, including Speaker Anita Among’s Bukedea District. He insisted that the will of the people must always come first.
At the Mpigi rally, Fred Nyanzi also addressed supporters and claimed that international opinion polls place Kyagulanyi at 68 percent support, while Museveni stands at 21 percent. These claims excited the crowd and boosted confidence among NUP supporters.
Joel Ssenyonyi urged voters to defy Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama by camping at polling stations after voting. He said this is the only way to ensure transparency and protect votes from being stolen.
Muwanga Kivumbi spoke about corruption in the roads sector, accusing Museveni’s allies of stealing trillions of shillings through inflated road construction contracts. He pointed to ongoing projects in Mpigi as examples of how public funds are abused.
In his closing remarks, Kyagulanyi made a rare appeal to Museveni’s supporters as well. He asked them to also stay at polling stations after voting to protect Museveni’s votes. He said every vote matters and that no one should allow their candidate’s votes to be stolen.
Kyagulanyi said he knows Museveni still has some supporters, and he challenged each of them to camp at polling stations on January 15, 2026. According to him, guarding the vote is a duty for all Ugandans who believe in fairness, regardless of political party.
