NTUNGAMO, Uganda – National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, has rallied supporters in Ntungamo District, marking the sixth week of a campaign trail he described as a “journey of agony” in the wake of a violent crackdown on his supporters.
The rally, held amidst a tense political climate, came just a day after a significant confrontation in Bwizibwera, Mbarara District, where several of his supporters were reportedly ambushed, arrested, and brutalized by security forces.
Addressing the crowd, Bobi Wine acknowledged the heavy toll of the campaign. “It’s been a journey of agony given what just happened yesterday at Bwizibwera,” he stated. “But we know that is the ultimate price we have to incur for us to achieve freedom.”
This statement framed the recent violence not as a deterrent, but as a necessary sacrifice in the broader struggle for political change, signaling his movement’s resolve to continue despite state pressure.
Central to his message in Ntungamo was a repeated call for national solidarity. “Our message to the people of Ntungamo district has centered around unity,” the opposition leader declared. “We will not at any point accept to be divided by the oppressor. Our strength will only be witnessed by our unity.”
This emphasis on unity is a strategic pillar of Bobi Wine’s campaign, aiming to transcend regional and ethnic divisions that have historically characterized Ugandan politics. He consistently argues that the economic hardship and political oppression under the current regime are shared burdens that can only be lifted through a collective effort.
The Ntungamo rally, sealed under the banner of #ANewUgandaNow, represents a critical test of the opposition’s resilience. By pushing forward with his schedule immediately after a major incident, Bobi Wine aims to demonstrate that his movement cannot be derailed by intimidation, betting that each confrontation only deepens public resolve for the change he promises.
