Bobi Wine rallies in Hoima and Apac: Opposition voice ups pressure amid counter-accusations

HOIMA / APAC — Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine and representing the National Unity Platform (NUP), held large rallies today as his campaign intensified across key urban and regional centres.

In Hoima City, Bobi Wine tweeted: “Closed our day’s rally in Hoima city where we interfaced with multitudes of our change-hungry supporters,” marking a key urban outreach. Later in the day in Apac district (Lango sub-region), the campaign entered more controversial terrain when Bobi Wine alleged a link between President Museveni and the 1972 murder of Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka.

State House Deputy Press Secretary Faruk Kirunda responded swiftly, accusing Bobi Wine of “defamatory and misleading” claims in a bid to manipulate narratives and stir division. The exchange highlights the elevated tensions surrounding the 2026 race, and the razor-edge role of historical memory in campaign messaging.

At the rallies, Bobi Wine’s key messages remained consistent: generational change, youth empowerment and the need to shake up Uganda’s political status-quo. While explicit reference to policy was less emphasized, his supporters wore the theme “Change for the People” and the crowds appeared younger, showing his continued pull in urban and peri-urban demographics.

Key take-aways & significance:

Bobi Wine continues to consolidate his urban base and expand beyond Kampala into regional centres like Hoima and Apac.

The campaign’s use of historical allegation signals a more confrontational tone and may help energise supporters — but also risks alienating traditional or older voters.

The state’s quick rebuttal serves as a reminder of the power dynamics in the campaign environment and the possibility of increased tension or clampdown.

The message remains less about detailed policy and more about identity, change, and symbolic rupture — a strategy aligned with his youth-driven support base.

What to watch next:

Whether Bobi Wine expands his campaigning further into rural strongholds and connects with voters beyond the youth/urban segment.

How the government and security apparatus react to the rallies — any restrictions, interference, arrests will be highly scrutinised.

Whether the campaign shifts into more policy-rich territory or continues emphasising symbolism and narrative.