Robert Kyagulanyi - The African Mirror

Nov

17

2020

EU says won’t monitor Uganda election, limiting poll’s international scrutiny

ELIAS BIRYABAREMA THE European Union will not deploy an observer mission for Uganda's presidential election in January, an official has said, after complaints that advice from previous observers to make the polls fair went unheeded. In the Jan. 14 vote, President Yoweri Museveni, 76, will face off against youthful pop star and lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known by his music moniker Bobi Wine and who is seen as the incumbent president's closest competitor. In the same election, voters will also pick their lawmakers. "An EOM (election observer mission) will not be present in Uganda in 2021," Attilio Pacifici, EU ambassador…

Nov

06

2020

By The African Mirror

Ugandan elections set for January 14, as “Grandfather” challenged by young Wine

NEWS

UGANDANS will vote on January 14 in a presidential election that pits long-ruling incumbent Yoweri Museveni against ten rivals, including a young pop star who is emerging as the strongest challenger. The Electoral Commission announced the election date in a statement issued late on Wednesday. Polling to elect lawmakers to parliament will be conducted at the same time. Robert Kyagulanyi In power since 1986, the 76-year-old Museveni is often referred to as "Jajja", meaning "Grandfather". And the biggest threat to Africa's third longest-ruling president keeping his authoritarian grip on the East African nation is expected to come from pop star…

Oct

15

2020

By The African Mirror

Uganda presidential hopeful Bobi Wine says security forces raided his office

NEWS

UGANDAN presidential hopeful Bobi Wine, also a pop star and lawmaker, says security forces have raided his office and taken away documents, amid what the opposition says is a campaign of harassment by the government. In a tweet Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said the security personnel had also taken away other unnamed items. "The military and police just raided our head office in Kamwokya. They have broken into offices and taken away valuable documents and other items. Some comrades have been injured. The partisanship of security agencies ahead of the election is stinking," he said. Wine aims…

Sep

10

2020

By The African Mirror

Ugandan move to regulate online activity is tool to curb dissent ahead of polls – rights groups

NEWS

ELIAS BIRYABAREMA RIGHTS groups have asked Uganda to reverse a move that requires some social media users to get a licence and pay fees, saying the move is aimed at censoring content critical of the government ahead of a presidential election. In the election due around February, President Yoweri Museveni, 75, and Africa's third longest-ruling leader is seeking another five-year-term which would extend his period in office to 40 years. He is expected to face competition from pop star and lawmaker Bobi Wine - real name, Robert Kyagulanyi- who has exploited his music to galvanise a large following among young…

Aug

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Ugandan presidential hopeful says police used bullets to disperse supporters

NEWS

ELIAS BIRYABAREMA UGANDAN pop star and presidential hopeful, Bobi Wine, said some of his supporters were injured on Saturday after police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse a crowd in the country's east. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is seeking to end the 34-year-rule of ageing President Yoweri Museveni in polls due to be held early next year. Police spokesman Fred Enanga did not reply to Reuters' repeated calls seeking comment. In a post on his Facebook account, Wine said he had travelled to the eastern Ugandan town of Mbale to appear on a radio talk show…