‘We Must Be Free or Die Trying.’ Bobi Wine’s Campaign Braves Violence in Uganda

‘We Must Be Free or Die Trying.’ Bobi Wine’s Campaign Braves Violence in Uganda
Ugandan presidential candidate Bobi Wine shows a photograph depicting a victim of recent electoral violence, at the Electoral Commission in Kampala, Uganda, Dec. 2, 2020 (AP photo by Ronald Kabuubi).

A crowd of supporters was swelling around Ugandan presidential candidate Bobi Wine during a rally late last month in the eastern Luuka district, when security forces in riot gear began firing tear gas, pepper spray and bullets into the crowd. The popular singer-turned-parliamentarian was bundled into a police van and thrown in jail, accused of violating COVID-19 guidelines. “Be nonviolent,” he shouted as he was arrested. “We want freedom.”

Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is running against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is seeking a sixth term in next month’s elections. At 38, Wine is half his opponent’s age, and he presents the most potent threat yet to Museveni’s 35-year hold on power. As a result, he and his supporters have faced a campaign of repression that seems to steadily escalate daily as the Jan. 14 polls approach.

When Wine emerged from prison last month, having been granted bail after two days without access to his doctor, lawyers or even his family, he discovered that scores of protesters had died in clashes with security forces as they demanded his release.

Keep reading for free!

Get instant access to the rest of this article by submitting your email address below. You'll also get access to three articles of your choice each month and our free newsletter:

Or, Subscribe now to get full access.

Already a subscriber? Log in here .

What you’ll get with an All-Access subscription to World Politics Review:

A WPR subscription is like no other resource — it’s like having a personal curator and expert analyst of global affairs news. Subscribe now, and you’ll get:

  • Immediate and instant access to the full searchable library of tens of thousands of articles.
  • Daily articles with original analysis, written by leading topic experts, delivered to you every weekday.
  • Regular in-depth articles with deep dives into important issues and countries.
  • The Daily Review email, with our take on the day’s most important news, the latest WPR analysis, what’s on our radar, and more.
  • The Weekly Review email, with quick summaries of the week’s most important coverage, and what’s to come.
  • Completely ad-free reading.

And all of this is available to you when you subscribe today.

More World Politics Review