Why Bobi Wine has changed his tone on opposition coalition

As he resumed his campaigns after a chaotic week, National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine struck a different tone on opposition coalition.

Campaigning in Kyegegwa and Kyenjojo districts on November 23, following his release from detention in Nalufenya on bail three days earlier, Bobi Wine rallied his supporters to “vote change-seeking candidates.”

Until then, Bobi Wine, his People Power pressure group and NUP party seemed to push for their candidates, and their supporters often clashed with those of other opposition political parties in ugly online conversations.

But the events of November 18 and 19 seem to have made Bobi Wine and his NUP team change their mind on working with other political opposition players.

In the protests over Bobi Wine’s arrest in Luuka District, some 45 people were killed, according to figures released by police spokesperson Fred Enanga on November 23.

Following his arrest and the protests, some of the presidential candidates called off their campaigns in solidarity.

These included Maj Gen (Rtd) Gregg Mugisha Muntu of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), independent candidate Lt Gen (Rtd) Henry Kakurugu Tumukunde and Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party (DP).

But Patrick Oboi Amuriat of main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) insisted he would not halt his campaigns since this, he argued, would give incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni an edge.

Two meetings, one via teleconferencing and the other at Makerere University Guest House. The presidential candidates and representatives for at least five groups cemented their solidarity in dealing with police brutality, among other resolutions.

Encouraged by the magnanimity of his fellow opposition politicians, and staring at the Museveni’s administration use of force to quell protests, Bobi Wine and his NUP team have resolved to campaign for other change-seeking candidates.

This is the same tone those who attended the two meetings are expected to adopt in the coming days, less than two months to the 2021 elections.