Uganda’s Bobi Wine Threatens Protests Over Election Rigging. Kampala, Uganda — 2026-01-13 Lead Paragraph: Uganda’s opposition leader Bobi Wine has warned that he will call for mass protests if President Yoweri Museveni rigs the upcoming presidential election.
The election is scheduled for Thursday, with over 20 million Ugandans expected to cast their votes.
The election is seen as a pivotal moment in Uganda’s political landscape, with Museveni widely expected to extend his nearly four-decade rule. Wine, a former musician turned politician, has emerged as his main challenger, despite facing accusations of violent repression and fraud during his 2021 campaign. Wine emphasized the need for non-violent protests if the election is rigged, telling AFP, “We have said it many times, that if General Museveni rigs the election, we shall call for protests.
Officials commented on the matter. “Museveni, 81, has been in power since 1986 and is known for a regime marked by both economic growth and political repression. Rights groups, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have accused Ugandan authorities of cracking down on dissent ahead of the vote, citing arrests of Wine’s supporters.
Despite the potential for further violence, Wine maintained that non — violence remains the key. He also acknowledged that protests could lead to the downfall of violent regimes, adding that “even violent regimes get thrown out by protests.”Large, youthful crowds have continued to rally behind Wine in Kampala, reflecting wider regional anger in East Africa over shrinking democratic space and lack of economic opportunities.
The situation in Uganda remains tense as the election approaches. It is unclear what specific measures Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) will take to organize and lead protests, if called for.
The potential response from the Museveni government to such a warning is also unknown.
Further details are expected as the election nears.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
