Uganda: Bobi Wine, From Exile, Says Nup Remains Resilient After Six Years Despite Political Pressure

What the report says

AllAfrica, republishing a Nile Post report by Samuel Muhimba, says National Unity Platform president Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, marked the Ugandan opposition party’s sixth anniversary by saying it has endured sustained political pressure and remains a resilient force. The report’s headline described Kyagulanyi as speaking from exile, though the article text focused mainly on his anniversary message and did not give further details about his location.

NUP commemorated six years since it was presented as the political arm of the People Power movement. In his message, Kyagulanyi thanked party leaders, diaspora supporters and grassroots networks, crediting them with keeping the party active through what he described as difficult years. He said critics had initially dismissed NUP as short-lived, but argued that the party had continued to stand for citizens’ rights and dignity.

According to Nile Post, Kyagulanyi also referred to NUP members and supporters he said had been detained, tortured or killed during Uganda’s political struggle. He told Ugandans not to lose hope and framed the party’s setbacks as part of a longer generational contest. His comments were directed both at supporters and at the government, which he accused of extreme repression.

The report noted that NUP grew out of People Power and was unveiled in July 2020 after taking over the National Unity, Reconciliation and Development Party, founded by Moses Nkonge Kibalama. It later became Uganda’s largest opposition party in Parliament after the 2021 general election, winning more than 50 seats, making its anniversary politically significant ahead of continuing debates over opposition space in Uganda.