Thirsty for Change. From Ghetto to State House Dreams, Thousands Rally Behind Bobi Wine After Nomination
National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has been duly nominated by the Electoral Commission to contest in Uganda’s 2026 presidential elections.
The musician-turned-politician, who will be making his second bid for the country’s top seat, was accompanied by jubilant crowds as he later addressed a massive rally at Kaala Grounds, Nateete, Kampala.
The nomination exercise at the Electoral Commission headquarters in Lweza, Wakiso District, was conducted under tight security, with Kyagulanyi presenting the required documentation and being cleared as an official candidate. His wife, Barbie Itungo, and senior party leaders flanked him during the brief but symbolic event.
Kyagulanyi’s call to Ugandans. “Souls thirsty for change”
Speaking to thousands of supporters at the post-nomination rally, Kyagulanyi declared that Uganda had entered a decisive moment.
“Our souls are thirsty for change. For far too long, we have lived under fear, poverty, and broken promises. Today I stand, not as a musician, not as an individual, but as your servant ready to reclaim power for the ordinary Ugandan.”
He pledged immediate reforms in governance, tackling corruption, investing in youth employment, and restoring dignity to public institutions. Emphasizing the power of the ballot, he urged his supporters to remain vigilant:
“This journey will not be easy. But when we stand together, no amount of intimidation can silence our will. The future is in your hands, and it begins now.”
Zahra Luyirika mobilizes Kampala for Bobi Wine
Among the prominent figures at the rally was Zahra Maala Luyirika, Kampala Woman MP aspirant and former Speaker of the KCCA Council. She was credited for mobilizing large sections of Kampala’s population to attend the event and amplify Kyagulanyi’s message of transformation.
In her remarks, Luyirika praised Kyagulanyi’s resilience and called on women and youth to rally behind him.
“Kampala has spoken. We want leadership that works for the ordinary person, not the privileged few. As women, as mothers, and as citizens, we are standing with Bobi Wine because his victory is our victory.”
She further promised to champion urban reforms and women’s empowerment in Parliament should she be elected, aligning her agenda with NUP’s broader push for inclusive governance.
A movement gaining momentum
Analysts note that Kyagulanyi’s nomination cements his position as the leading opposition challenger against President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The scenes in Nateete filled with red berets, flags, and chants of “People Power, Our Power” underlined the energy of a movement that continues to resonate strongly among Uganda’s urban youth and grassroots communities.
For NUP supporters, the day symbolized both validation and hope. For the ruling establishment, it signaled the start of a campaign season likely to be one of the most heated in Uganda’s recent history.
