The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate, Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu popularly known as Bobi Wine recently energized the electorate with a powerful campaign drive through Kasanda and Mubende districts. This campaign leg, held on October 6 and 7, 2025, was marked by massive turnouts, spirited rallies, and bold promises that resonate deeply with ordinary Ugandans seeking transformative change.
A Massive Welcome Amidst Heightened Security
Bobi Wine’s arrival in Kasanda and Mubende was preceded by notable tension, as the regime anticipated large crowds and showed a heavy security presence. Despite this, thousands of supporters waving red and white flags the emblematic colors of NUP’s People Power movement greeted him enthusiastically along the campaign routes.
His motorcade was met with vibrant energy from youths, women, and community leaders who crowded the streets, braving occasional rain and the presence of police roadblocks to hear from their leader. The scale of the turnout signaled Bobi Wine’s sustained popular appeal in central Uganda, where the ruling party faces growing challenges.
Key Campaign Messages and Promises
Bobi Wine used the Kasanda and Mubende rallies to outline his vision for a reformed Uganda, emphasizing urgent governance reforms and socio-economic changes. His speeches covered several core pledges as part of the NUP’s 11-point agenda:
Ending Political Oppression: Bobi Wine committed to dismantling structures like the Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), which he characterized as tools for voter intimidation and government surveillance, promising a more democratic and inclusive political climate.
Fighting Corruption: He vowed to aggressively tackle corruption, pledging to recover billions of shillings lost annually through graft. Bobi Wine framed corruption as a major obstacle to development and called for transparency and accountability at all government levels.
Economic Empowerment: The candidate pledged to significantly improve economic opportunities for Ugandans, with a focus on youth employment, investment in agriculture, and support for small businesses. He highlighted the need for government reforms that prioritize job creation and poverty reduction.
Improving Public Services: Bobi Wine promised better healthcare, education, and infrastructural development, focusing specifically on rural and peri-urban areas neglected by current administration projects.
Peaceful Transition: Addressing concerns about political stability, Bobi Wine assured Ugandans of his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power. He urged President Museveni to step down voluntarily to avoid potential conflict and promised protection for the outgoing regime members if they embraced change peacefully.
Addressing the People of Kasanda and Mubende
At both campaign sites, Bobi Wine connected personally with residents, acknowledging their frustrations with the status quo. He reminded them that their votes are powerful tools to reshape Uganda’s future, asking for their active participation in mobilizing communities to embrace a new leadership.
In Mubende, especially, the campaign faced challenges including the shutdown of a popular radio station (Point FM), which was reportedly turned off days ahead of Bobi Wine’s scheduled rallies. This move was widely interpreted as an attempt to curb his outreach. Bobi Wine condemned the act as an example of state suppression but encouraged supporters to remain undeterred.
Mobilizing the Youth and Women
Central to Bobi Wine’s message was his appeal to youth and women, groups that form the backbone of the People Power movement. He urged young Ugandans to stay united, resist intimidation, and use their collective strength to demand change through the ballot box.
For women, he pledged to create more platforms for participation in governance and to champion policies tackling gender inequality, education access, and health services.
Opposition Momentum and Regime Pushback
The Kasanda and Mubende campaign period vividly illustrated the dichotomy in Uganda’s political terrain. On one hand, Bobi Wine’s rallies reflected overwhelming popular enthusiasm and growing opposition momentum. On the other, the government’s security apparatus demonstrated its intent to control and disrupt opposition activities through heightened surveillance and restrictive measures.
Despite the tensions, NUP’s campaign machinery proved resilient, leveraging grassroots networks and social media to sustain visibility and public engagement.
Regional Significance of Kasanda and Mubende for 2026
These districts are strategically crucial swing areas in the Buganda region, traditionally a stronghold for various political factions but increasingly contested by NUP’s growing influence. Success here not only translates into parliamentary gains but also signals shifting political allegiances that could ripple across central Uganda and beyond.
Bobi Wine’s strong showing in Kasanda and Mubende rebuffs narratives that opposition appeal is limited to urban centers, stressing the grassroots nature of his movement.
A Movement Gathering Steam
Bobi Wine’s campaign drive through Kasanda and Mubende demonstrated that despite state suppression, intimidation, and entrenched political challenges, the hunger for change among many Ugandans remains vibrant. His promises reflect urgent public demands for governance reform, economic opportunities, and political freedoms.
As the 2026 elections approach, Kasanda and Mubende stand as testament to the potency of People Power a movement ready to translate hope into electoral success and chart a new chapter in Uganda’s political history.
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