Bobi: I Support Electoral Reforms, But I’m Shy To Join Their Mover Mpuuga After Fighting Him

The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, has made a surprising admission.

During his appearance on NBS TV’s local Barometer show on April 1 and 2, 2025, Bobi Wine confessed that he supports electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 polls, led by Democratic Alliance (DA) national coordinator Mathias Mpuuga, but he feels shy to stand behind reforms sponsor due to the protracted “egoistic” fight principal wedged against the former LoP.

During a more than two-hour show that crossed into April 2, 2025, Bobi Wine acknowledged that the current electoral system is prohibitive to the opposition’s chances of being declared presidential race winners.

However, owing to his mentioned shyness to join forces with Mpuuga, Bobi quickly mumbled back to his earlier stance, suggesting that existing laws could facilitate free, fair, and credible elections if properly implemented.

“Without discussing individuals, let us debate the fundamental issue of electoral reforms,” Bobi said, “I indeed support electoral reforms, but I also want you to know that even with their defects, the laws we have today can lead to a free, fair, and credible election if well implemented.”

To justify his argument, Bobi emphasized, “The first electoral reform should be about changing the way the electoral commission is constituted to do away with a situation where one of the presidential candidates [Museveni] is the one appointing it. Without them [Mpuuga and friends] bringing that reform, the rest is a waste of time.”

Fact-checked

It is worth noting that the DA, led by Mpuuga, is advocating for the Electoral Commission amendment bill to change the appointment process of the Electoral Commission.

However, Bobi Wine seems unfamiliar with this proposal, instead opting to appear politically correct without offering alternative solutions.

During the DA’s engagement with the National Consultative Forum last week, Mpuuga stressed the need for reforms in the Electoral Commission’s appointment, constitution, and structure.

“We [DA] believe part of the problem with the Electoral Commission is how it is appointed, how it is constituted, and the structure,” Mpuuga said.

Strongly Opposed.

Bobi Wine has been vehemently opposed to Mpuuga’s reforms-in June 2023, in his capacity as the leader of the opposition at the time; Mpuuga organized a 2-day retreat at the Commonwealth Hotel Munyonyo for opposition leaders and constitutional experts to discuss electoral reforms.

However, Bobi Wine dismissed the retreat as an “expensive tea party” and directed his party to disown the event and its recommendations.

Mpuuga emphasized the need for constitutional and electoral reforms during the retreat.

“The country needs reform to the Constitution and legislation that affirms and supports the independence of the electoral commission, protects against the disenfranchisement of Ugandans, protects the rights of opposition candidates, and ensures principles of transparency, equity, and accountability.”

To the contrary, the NUP, which is the largest opposition party, stated in June 2023 that despite the flaws in current laws, they could guarantee fair play and sanity in elections if implemented. Bobi Wine reiterated this stance in May 2024.

However, in a Munyonyo retreat attended by Bobi Wine, participants proposed guidelines to address the militarization of politics, the return of presidential term limits, and the transformation of the vice president’s office into an elective position.

To thwart Mpuuga’s proposed reforms, Bobi Wine replaced him with Joel Ssenyonyi as the Leader of the Opposition. Despite enjoying Bobi Wine’s trust, Ssenyonyi has hindered the introduction of electoral reforms.

In July 2024, Shadow Attorney General Wilfred Niwagaba revealed that Ssenyonyi blocked him from introducing electoral reforms, even after Mpuuga had left office.

“I had introduced that [Constitutional and Electoral Reforms] Bill, but the leadership of the opposition [in parliament] stopped me, and I am constrained to follow what the Leader of the Opposition says. I had brought reform proposals, thinking that we would get time to fully dissect them. However, my bosses told me to stop making proposals. What would you want me to do?” Niwagaba told CBS FM in an exclusive interview.

The flip floppy stance speaks to the NUP’s reluctance to push for electoral reforms, despite Bobi Wine’s recent admission of support.