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Speaking to a packed crowd during his nomination rally on Wednesday, National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Bobi Wine delivered a defiant message to President Yoweri Museveni and his regime.
“Uganda was here before you, and Uganda will remain long after you are gone,” he said. “You don’t have to burn it down on your way out.”
Wine urged Museveni to hand over power through democratic means, arguing that doing so would safeguard his legacy and honor what he had built.
“That window is still open because we are not a vengeful people,” he added. “We still believe in peace, justice and reconciliation.”
The remarks come as Wine was officially cleared on Wednesday by Uganda’s Electoral Commission to run for president in the January 2026 poll.
His nomination sets up a high-stakes rematch against an 81-year-old Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986 and recently had his candidacy confirmed.
Political tensions were already high at the rally. Clashes erupted between police and supporters, with reports of tear gas and detentions.
Wine’s party has long accused the government of intimidating opposition members, including alleged abductions and illegal detentions—accusations the state denies.
Analysts interpret Wine’s appeal as both a warning and a strategic pivot. By framing Museveni’s exit as potentially destructive, he positions himself as a stabilizing force offering safe political transition rather than retribution.
Observers say the coming months will test whether Wine’s message resonates beyond his core supporters and whether state institutions will allow a genuinely competitive contest. Meanwhile, the window for a peaceful transfer of power remains open—but under pressure from history, rhetoric, and a deeply polarized climate.