The U-Turn Politician: Bobi Wine’s Confusing Stance On Electoral Reforms Raises Eyebrows

Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, the president of the leading opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), was a vocal advocate for electoral reforms in Uganda.

However, his remarks and actions have exposed him as a leader without a clear position and strategy to effectively oppose the 40-year-old regime.

In a shocking U-turn, Bobi Wine announced that he is ready to challenge President Museveni in 2026 without any reforms, contradicting his earlier stance that he would never participate in elections without fundamental changes to the electoral process.

In July 2022, Bobi Wine appeared on NTV Uganda’s talk show, where he ruled out his intentions to ever stand against Museveni without electoral reforms aimed at levelling the political playing field. He emphasized that without reforms, voting would be meaningless, and it would be foolhardy for him to encourage people to participate in elections that were likely to be rigged.

“How can I stand amidst people to tell them that colleagues let us go and cast our votes? Yes, people would go and cast their votes, but I would be hoodwinking them because even if they vote for me, those in the electoral Commission, would declare different results,” Bobi said.

He added, “So, how can I start telling them to get back to the elections when the situation is still the same? Without electoral reforms, voting does not make sense now. It would be foolhardy for me to use this TV to tell our people to get back to the polls.”

At the time, Bobi asserted, “[going back to the polls without reforms] would mean that we are helping Museveni to perpetuate his dictatorship, and would paint a picture that there is democracy.”

Changed Goal Posts

However, fast forward to December 2024, Bobi Wine announced to his foot soldiers at the NUP offices at Makerere-Kavule that he was ready to challenge President Museveni in 2026 without any reforms. This sudden U-turn has left many questioning his commitment to democratic principles.

“I would like to inform you the [NUP] foot soldiers, and it is you who would inform the likes of the SG, [NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rukiri Rubongoya], that I have the guts. If it is a matter of leading you, I will lead you into challenging the man [Museveni].”

On top of his voice, Bobi added, “…Museveni, I am coming for you, and I have told you this my foot soldiers.”

Vehemently Opposed All Mpuuga Reforms

Meanwhile, Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP has been championing electoral and constitutional reforms.

In June 2023, whilst he was still the LoP, the Parliamentary Commissioner Mpuuga organized a 2-day retreat where opposition leaders and constitutional experts gathered to strategize on the best way to achieve reforms before the 2026 elections.

Mpuuga’s efforts were, however, dismissed by Bobi Wine, who described the retreat as an “expensive tea party” for opposition figures.

Bobi Wine also directed his party to issue a statement disowning the retreat and its recommendations.

“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,” Mpuuga said during the 2-day retreat held in June 2023 at Common Wealth Speke Resort Munyonyo.

However, on June 6, 2023, the NUP said in a statement, “…we also believe that despite their flaws, the current laws if implemented would guarantee fair play and sanity in elections. However, the criminal regime has always ignored them and carried out the worst forms of electoral fraud. Therefore, constitutional and electoral reforms cannot be the solution.”

This same position, which insists that electoral and constitutional amendment are not necessary, was re-echoed by Bobi Wine during a press conference in May 2024.

“No amount of electoral reforms can solve the issue of impunity. Even though the law has been tampered with many times, if it is respected, it can take us where we want to go.”

However, in a Munyonyo retreat, which was attended by Bobi, 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 ensure that Mpuuga’s proposed reforms do not see the light of day, Bobi moved to drop the latter from the position of LoP to replace him with Nakawa West’s Joel Ssenyonyi.

Despite enjoying unfettered trust from Bobi Wine, Ssenyonyi has stifled the introduction of electoral reforms.

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

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

Ssenyonyi never dismissed Niwagaba’s assertions, which confirm, that the leading opposition party, which would ordinarily be expected to use its influence-to-influence debate on electoral, and constitutional reforms, was unbothered but eager to partake in forthcoming elections.

No Giving Up

When he realized that the successor was over-consumed by other issues not related to making the electoral landscape fair to even the opposition, Mpuuga reignited his quest for reforms. He accordingly, wrote to the speaker of Parliament, asking her to grant him a space on the order paper to be able to request leave to prepare eight (8) independent bills to cause the desirable reforms.

 What are those Mpuuga reforms that Bobi is vehemently opposing?

Constitutional and Electoral Reforms in Brief

Electoral Reforms

• Declaration of presidential candidates’ election results at the polling station
• Introduce proportional representation for woman MPs,
• Extend the timeframe for petitioning court results in case of presidential candidates’ discontent with results
• Giving voters locus to petition the Court to challenge presidential elections

Constitutional Amendments

• Restore and Entrench term limits
• Introduce an upper house chaired by the deputy president
• Reduce Parliament’s size.
• Allow Diaspora voters and prisoners to vote
• Allow the second runner-up to directly emerge the LoP
• Allow non-death row prisoners the right to vote

Bobi Wine’s opposition to these reforms has raised questions about his commitment to democratic principles.