“I have thought of quitting many times”: Bobi Wine explains what keeps him going

National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has revealed that he has repeatedly considered walking away from politics.

Speaking during the debut episode of the NUP Podcast, Kyagulanyi said that since stepping into the political arena in 2017, there have been moments when the pressure and challenges made him question his decision.

“Yes, I have thought of quitting many times,” he admitted. “Sometimes I just ask myself, ‘How did I even end up here?’ because politics was never something I planned for.”

Bobi Wine, once celebrated as the “Ghetto President” for his activism and music, entered national politics unexpectedly in 2017 when he won the Kyadondo East parliamentary by-election as an independent candidate. He recalled the fiery atmosphere that pushed him and his close allies, including fellow artist Nubian Li, to take the bold step.

“There was a lot of anger. We sat down and said, ‘Let’s challenge them and take the ghetto to Parliament,’” he said. But once inside Parliament, he quickly realised the depth of the political and structural problems facing the country.

His influence grew rapidly, and in 2020 he transformed the People Power movement into the National Unity Platform. This move positioned him as President Yoweri Museveni’s strongest challenger and placed him firmly at the centre of Uganda’s opposition politics.

Reflecting on the weight of this responsibility, Kyagulanyi compared his political journey to a ship that cannot turn back after leaving port. “In the end, it’s like a boat—once it leaves the harbour, there is no going back,” he said. “I keep going not out of bravery, but because quitting would be even worse. I know exactly who I’m up against.”

He added that the courage and belief of his supporters fuel his resolve to continue the struggle.

“The people around me are braver than I am,” he said. “Many of them have nothing except hope in my leadership. They are young, they have sacrificed everything, and they trust me. That is hope I cannot betray. So we keep moving.”