Uganda’s Bobi Wine formally declares his presidential bid
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KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan pop star and opposition figure Bobi Wine formally launched his presidential bid for the 2021 election on Wednesday, calling the country’s longtime leader a dictator and urging him to hold credible polls.
“On behalf of the people of Uganda I am challenging you to free and fair elections,” Wine said to cheers of supporters, referring to President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power in the East African nation since 1986.
The singer, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, first revealed his plans to run during an interview with The Associated Press last week in which he said he was concerned for his safety. He has accused Ugandan security forces of torturing him in the past. Authorities deny it and in turn have charged him with treason and other offences, which he rejects.
The 37-year-old lawmaker leads a popular movement known as “People Power” and has emerged as a political threat to one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, appealing to many among the country’s booming young population who are frustrated with unemployment and the slow pace of change.
