KAMPALA, Uganda – National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi ssentamu better known as Bobi Wine, has called upon all Ugandans to take charge of their country hours before the forthcoming General Election.
Ugandans are expected to go to the polls tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, 2026, to elect the President and members of Parliament.
Bobi Wine, who is the main opposition candidate looking to unseat long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, has raised concerns over alleged plans by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime to rig the polls.
“It is interesting to see that everybody in Uganda and outside Uganda sees the impending rigging. But what we have called upon the people of Uganda to do is to take charge of their country, not just to leave it to politicians, not even to me,” said Bobi Wine.
In an interview with Bloomberg Business, Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician, lamented that Ugandans were going to the elections amidst all the violence and brutality.
“All we wanted was to reach out to all the people of Uganda and awaken them. We know that when the people of Uganda rise to the occasion and demand what is rightly theirs, they will get it. This has happened in Madagascar, and it has happened in Sudan and Egypt. It is happening in Iran, and it can definitely happen in Uganda,” Bobi Wine explained.
How should Ugandans “protect” their votes?
Bobi Wine, a former Member of Parliament for the Kyadondo East Constituency, has further urged vigilance ahead of the highly anticipated elections.
The lawyer-cum-politician has called upon his supporters to document any election irregularities while reminding voters to remain at the polling stations, record any suspicious activities and photograph declaration of result forms to promote transparency.
Wine, while speaking at his last presidential campaign at Aga Khan grounds in Kampala, also encouraged volunteers to act as poll observers and safely store evidence in case of internet disruptions.
His remarks came hours before the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ordered an internet shutdown ahead of the polls.
Why has the UCC shut down the internet?
In a statement signed by UCC Executive Director Nyombi Thembo, the government said the move followed a “strong” recommendation from the Inter-agency Security Committee.
UCC directed all licensed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to implement a temporary suspension of public internet access, sale and registration of new SIM cards and outbound data roaming services to One Network Area countries.
“This measure is necessary to mitigate the rapid spread of online misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks, as well as prevent the incitement of violence that could affect public confidence and national security during the election period,” said Nyombi.
According to Nyombi, the suspension is effective Tuesday, January 13, 2025, at 6pm and will remain in force until a restoration order is issued by the UCC.
Earlier, Bobi Wine had called upon his supporters to download Bitchat from Google Play Store or Apple App Store ahead of the polls.
Why should Ugandans download Bitchat?
He claimed that there were plans by the NRM regime to shut down the internet barely two weeks before the high-stakes elections.
“As we all know, the regime is plotting an internet shutdown in the coming days, as they have done in all previous elections. They switch off the internet to block communication and ensure that citizens do not organise, verify their election results and demand accountability over the massive election theft,” said Bobi Wine.
Bitchat will enable Ugandans to communicate with thousands of people in record time.
“No internet connection is required. You will be able to send pictures of DR Forms and share any other critical information with specific or other users. No internet required. No sharing of phone numbers or email addresses. All you need to do is switch on Bluetooth and use the app,” he added.
A look at Uganda’s 2026 electoral formation
President Museveni, who came to power through a rebellion in January 1986, is aiming at a seventh term in office.
Apart from the 43-year-old Bobi Wine, the presidential ballot features other candidates: former military chief Mugisha Muntu, Nandala Mafabi, Robert Kasibante, Mubarak Munyagwa, Frank Kabingwa and Joseph Mabirizi.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission reports that 21.6 million voters are registered for the upcoming elections, up from 18.1 million in 2021.
Women here make up the majority, with 11.3 million registered voters compared to 10.3 million men.
Voting will take place at 50,739 polling stations across the country, with ballots counted and tallied at every station in the presence of party agents and election observers.
There is also significant competition beyond the presidential race. According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 83,597 candidates have been cleared to contest for 45,505 elective positions countrywide, from Parliamentary to Local Councils.
This includes 2,025 candidates vying for the 353 directly elected constituency MP seats and 640 candidates contesting 146 district woman representative seats, which is part of Uganda’s system to ensure gender representation.
The Uganda Constitution requires a presidential candidate to secure more than 50% of the vote to win. If no candidate achieves this, a runoff is then held between the top two contenders. However, since the reintroduction of the presidential elections in Uganda, this has never occurred, as President Museveni has constantly won in the First Round with more than 50% of the vote.
Why is the UN concerned about Uganda’s elections?
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the Ugandan authorities to uphold the rights of all Ugandans to take part in the public affairs of their country.
“The Ugandan authorities must ensure all Ugandans can participate fully and safely in the election, as is their right under international law,” said Türk. “They must, among others, ensure that no unnecessary or disproportionate force, including lethal force, is used to disperse peaceful protests.”
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