Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has renewed warnings over what he describes as coordinated propaganda campaigns aimed at weakening political opposition and sustaining President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing rule.
In a message originally written in 2022 and reshared on his social media platforms, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president said the warning remains “as relevant today as it was then,” urging supporters and Ugandans at large to remain alert to manipulation in political discourse.
Bobi Wine argues that authoritarian governments rely heavily on propaganda to maintain control, diverting public resources that could otherwise be used to improve essential services.
He claims such systems invest “billions of money” in information campaigns designed to influence public perception.
He also alleges the existence of a structured network of propagandists operating in different forms, whose ultimate goal, in his words, is the preservation of what he termed “the Museveni regime.”
However, he cautions that the greatest risk lies not in overt state-aligned voices, but in citizens who consume and believe such messaging without scrutiny.
According to him, some supporters of opposition movements have previously shifted their positions after being influenced by what he describes as “well-crafted narratives.”
Bobi Wine outlines what he considers four main categories of propaganda actors. The first, he says, involves individuals who initially appear supportive of opposition causes but gradually shift to criticising internal leadership and strategy after building credibility and following.
The second category, he notes, consists of individuals who publicly identify with the opposition but focus predominantly on criticising its leadership and tactics rather than the government itself.
He claims such actors often shift positions depending on political events, particularly during protests or contested elections.
He cites the 2021 Kayunga by-election as an example, alleging that narratives around the vote shifted repeatedly depending on emerging results and political interpretations.
He argues that such inconsistency is designed to sow confusion and discourage coordinated political action.
The third category, according to Bobi Wine, involves individuals who claim to support him personally but attack his close political allies, which he says is intended to weaken the broader movement indirectly.
The fourth category, he states, includes outright supporters of the ruling government who, in his view, actively manufacture and spread falsehoods about the opposition when factual claims are challenged.
Bobi Wine maintains that while these categories differ in approach, they share a common objective of undermining opposition efforts.
He, however, distinguishes between propaganda and legitimate criticism, noting that constructive feedback remains essential for political accountability.
He further argues that similar tactics have historically been used by authoritarian regimes globally, but insists they ultimately fail in preventing political change.
“The struggle for freedom and democracy will end in victory,” he states in the message, reiterating his call for continued vigilance among supporters.
The message comes amid ongoing political tensions in Uganda, where opposition parties continue to accuse the government of restricting political space, while the state maintains that its actions are aimed at preserving stability and national security.