Bobi Wine to Challenge Museveni Again in 2026, Slams West Over Silence on Uganda’s Human Rights Abuses”

Ugandan opposition leader and pop star Bobi Wine has announced his intention to run for president for a second time, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch against long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni in 2026. The 43-year-old activist, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, accused Western allies of turning a blind eye to alleged human rights violations, including torture, abductions, and illegal detentions targeting his supporters.

Wine, who leads the National Unity Platform (NUP), condemned what he called the “complicity” of Western governments, stating, “They are here to crack their business deals and don’t care about human rights.” His remarks follow shocking allegations of torture against Eddie Mutwe, a party activist and bodyguard, who claimed he was electrocuted, waterboarded, and beaten while detained.

The opposition leader, who rejected the results of the 2021 election over claims of voter fraud and military intimidation, vowed to use the upcoming campaign to rally Ugandans against what he described as systemic oppression. With Museveni, 80, expected to seek re-election, the race could become a pivotal moment for Uganda’s democracy—and a test of the international community’s commitment to human rights in the region.