Uganda Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Warns of Deepening Repression Ahead of 2026 Elections
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Bobi Wine says Uganda’s political climate has deteriorated sharply ahead of the 2026 elections, warning of threats and suppression.
Uganda Opposition Leader Bobi Wine Warns of Deepening Repression Ahead of 2026 Elections
Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu) has painted a bleak picture of the country’s political environment, stating that the climate has “gone from bad to worse” as the nation prepares for the January 2026 presidential elections
Threats from Military Leadership
Wine cited explicit threats from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the commander of Uganda’s armed forces and son of long-serving President Yoweri Museveni. Kainerugaba has made violent posts on social media, reportedly threatening to cut off Wine’s head, and reportedly detained Wine’s bodyguard under torture-like conditions
Opposition Harassment Intensifies
Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) party members face frequent arrests and disappearances. He claims these actions aim to intimidate and silence those mobilizing the youth and working-class constituencies ahead of next year’s vote.
Wine Remains Defiant
Despite personal risk, Wine pledged to mobilize a “protest vote,” calling on Ugandans to stand against systemic corruption and dynastic rule. He warns of increasing impunity and family-centered succession dynamics as Museveni prepares for a potential seventh term in power
Regional and International Concerns
Observers and rights groups have raised alarms about Uganda’s recent surge in militarization and crackdown on dissent. Analysts warn that the 2026 election may reaffirm the country’s decades-long resistance to democratic transition, amid fears of hereditary succession in the ruling regime
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