“Stay Home and Lead, Don’t Cry to Whites” – Gen. Nalweyiso’s Advice to Bobi Wine

Kampala – Senior Presidential Advisor on Defense and Security, Lt. Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, has taken a swipe at opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, accusing him of being quick to seek sympathy from the West instead of leading his struggles from home.

Speaking during a recent interview, the veteran UPDF officer reminded Bobi Wine that true leadership means standing with Ugandans, not “running abroad to cry to whites.”

“My son Bobi Wine should lead the country from here. Let him not run to America to report; instead, let him remain and lead from here while raising those issues,” Nalweyiso said.

Her remarks have ignited heated debate, with some accusing her of downplaying the opposition leader’s strategy of seeking international attention, while others agreed that Uganda’s challenges must be addressed internally.

Defending Museveni’s Legacy

Nalweyiso also defended President Yoweri Museveni’s 40 years in power, insisting that the country has made undeniable progress under his leadership.

“In the 40 years of President Museveni’s leadership, we now have cities. I was even arguing, not realizing that Soroti is now a city. For us older people, we can clearly see the growth,” she explained.

She argued that democracy was one of the key achievements of the NRM struggle, but cautioned that it is now being “diluted” by individuals with selfish agendas.

“This is the democracy we fought for, but some people are now diluting it. We all see how far we have brought our country, yet what we sacrificed and struggled for is being undermined by these individuals,” Nalweyiso stressed.

NRM Primaries and Aspirants

On the issue of political contestation within the ruling NRM, Nalweyiso dismissed claims that internal weaknesses are tearing the party apart.

“The only challenge with the NRM primaries is that everyone who participated in the election expected to win. I don’t think they have come forward because there’s weakness. Everyone is being allowed to do as they please. Let anyone who wants to contest go ahead and do so,” she said.

Bobi Wine vs. Museveni

Nalweyiso’s blunt remarks about Bobi Wine come at a time when the opposition figure has increased his international engagements, particularly in the U.S., where he frequently meets policymakers and rights groups.

To her, this is a sign of weakness rather than leadership.

“We sacrificed and struggled for this democracy. Let Bobi Wine stop running abroad crying to whites. If he wants to lead, let him lead from here,” she emphasized