Presidential aspirant Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine, has called on Ugandans, particularly the youth, to set aside historical divisions and work towards a united nation.
He made the remarks on Monday during his campaign stop in Lira City, Lango sub-region.
“We are intentionally divided. Whenever I talk about unity, you see Museveni government trying to fight us because they don’t want to see united people,” Bobi Wine said, emphasizing the need to overcome tribal and regional barriers.
He further highlighted what he described as long-standing discrimination in security services:
“Officers from Lango don’t get promotion in police and military because they come from a wrong tribe according to Museveni.”
Bobi Wine used his growing alliance with opposition leaders to send a strong message of reconciliation.
“When you see me rubbing shoulders with my brother Jimmy Akena, it’s a message for all of us, the people of Buganda and Lango, to unite. It’s time for all of us to forget about the enmity that was created even before we were born,” he said.
He also urged the youth to seize the moment and shape Uganda’s future:
“This is our time, our opportunity as the youth to write new history. When I decided to stand for president, my goal was to unite Uganda and stop the gun rule. I want us to have a new Uganda where there’s equal rights and treatment.”
Bobi Wine’s push for unity follows a symbolic gesture over the weekend, when he paid respects at the grave of former president Milton Obote alongside Obote’s son and current UPC president, Jimmy Akena.
The move sparked debate, given Obote’s controversial legacy, including the 1966 abolition of kingdoms, which still resonates particularly with the people of Buganda.
However, reconciliation efforts have precedent. In 2006, Miria Obote, widow of the late president, formally apologized to the Buganda Kingdom and sought to rebuild relations.
Her olive branch was received by then Katikkiro Daniel Muliika, laying the groundwork for healing past grievances.
