Ugandans’ Verdict: Besigye Was In Real Struggle Against Museveni, Bobi Is A Joker

The debate is heating up in Uganda over who is the real opposition leader: Dr. Kizza Besigye or Bobi Wine. An October 21, 2024 post on X by Roja Maibo @rojamaibo asked, “Between Besigye and Bobi Wine, who put up the real struggle?”

 

https://x.com/rojamaibo/status/1848219870913040624

The post which 257.9K people saw, attracted over 1,000 comments, 185 reposts, and 3,000 likes.

The responses were overwhelming; with 53 out of 60, comments sampled backing Besigye as the genuine opposition leader, giving Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the leader of the largest opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) humiliating descriptions. Only seven (7) comments favored Bobi Wine. This overwhelming support underscored Besigye’s impact on Uganda’s opposition movement over the decades.

Re-evaluation

As the country prepares for the 2026 general elections, which precede four years of opposition under Bobi Wine, Ugandans are re-evaluating their opposition leaders.

If the Roja Maibo-post results are something to go by, the consensus is clear: Dr. Besigye, four-time presidential candidate and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader who is now in the final stages of establishing a new People’s Freedom Front (PFF), remains the genuine opposition leader against incumbent Museveni compared to a chest-thumping Bobi Wine.

Dismissive

When Bobi Wine entered the opposition fray at the presidential candidate level, the first act was to dismiss Besigye’s contributions to the struggle, claiming he was a close ally with Museveni, opposing him with “kid gloves.”

Bobi assured the nation he would deliver a “knockout” against Museveni stating, “You can’t stand for four times and then on the fifth time you tell us that democracy doesn’t work. We believe it works!” However, his actions have not matched his words.

Bobi’s hard-hitting message followed Besigye’s counsel, developed through experience, that elections themselves, could not remove Museveni from power.

A Record of Struggle

Besigye’s legacy is built on his unwavering commitment to challenging Museveni’s regime. As the active opposition leader, he consistently took to the streets, organizing protests and rallies, which became a hallmark of his leadership. In contrast, Bobi Wine has yet to stage any significant protests, instead opting for rhetorical lamentations and blackmail, since 2021.

Commenters thus praised Besigye’s consistency, courage, and vision. “Besigye and FDC were genuinely struggling,” said Sir Ezra. “Besigye is unmatched and incomparable!” added Uganda Patriots.

Furthermore, Dr. Besigye’s four-time presidential candidacy and leadership of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) earned Besigye respect as Oyite Emmanuel said, “Besigye, with all his weaknesses, is a better nationalist… He shaped our democracy from the time multiparty politics returned in 2006.”

Ron A. Amooti who praised Besigye’s “extreme knowledge of the ability to organize and reorganize” reinforced Oyite’s argument.

In contrast, many commenters see Bobi Wine’s efforts as a “luxury struggle.”

For example, Nakifuma’s finest noted, “Besigye was in a tough struggle, but Bobi is in a luxury struggle…always aboard as if he is a flight attendant.”

Bobi’s decision to withdraw his election petition from the court and instead take it to the “people’s court” which has never sat anywhere to issue a verdict raised eyebrows.

Another eyebrow-raiser is the questionable manner in which President Museveni cleared Bobi’s armored car which by all standards, is a war weapon supposedly to aid the struggle against the very regime President Museveni superintends over.

Bobi’s Promise Unfulfilled

Bobi Wine promised a “knockout” against Museveni but failed to deliver.

Statistics show Bobi Wine garnered only 100,000 new votes, which is not quite so different from Besigye’s traditional 3-3.5 million votes, as the opposition vanguard at the time.

Ridiculous Descriptions to Bobi’s Struggle

“Why bring a bicycle when discussing airplanes?” Centa said in refereeing to Bobi as a bicycle while Besigye as an airplane.

“Besigye was in the real struggle as for Bobi wine is just in for selfish interests, i.e., fame and wealth…the Ugandans are watching…” Counsel Akamba Milton

“We need to apologize to Doctor Besigye, they misled us,” Mr. Art’s Ug

“Don’t disrespect Besigye. Kadingo and the word national don’t go together”, Zenji

Bobi is a scum; he and his MPs are just enjoying deals. Besigye was the real person in the struggle. I wish the foot soldiers understood that they were being used. Bobi conned us after believing him without reflection,” Marvin the Guide

“Stop comparing a lion (Besigye) and a cat [Bobi],” Nelson Naturinda

“Don’t ask us to compare living things with living things. No opposition leader in this country can be compared to Besigye,” Humphrey Tumwesigye

“You are comparing Palma to Maradona, but Bobi still has a long way to fill Besigye’s shoes,” Muke Chrispus

“Are you trying to compare idiots with people? Besigye is a real struggler, and Bobi is an idiot doing business,” Owen Akandwanaho said

“Stop comparing useless things to Besigye,” Kai

“Besigye, [is the real] the other [Bobi] is a political joker,” Garden of Eden

“Stop comparing President Besigye with an idiot,” John Lwaya

“There has never been a strategic, well-grounded, intelligent, forthright, and steadfast politician like Besigye. Take it or leave it,” Hans

The people have spoken, and it is clear, that Dr. Kizza Besigye remains the opposition leader who put up a real struggle against Museveni’s regime at the time.