Bobi Wine To Rally Supporters in Mbale

MBALE: Opposition leader Bobi Wine is set to address supporters in Mbale City on Friday as the National Unity Platform (NUP) steps up its campaign ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.

The rally, which party officials say will take place in Mbale City, is part of NUP’s nationwide mobilisation drive and comes as political activity increases across the country.

Mbale is widely regarded as one of NUP’s strongholds, with the opposition drawing significant support from youth and urban voters in the eastern Uganda city.

NUP leaders and supporters have called on residents to turn up in large numbers, describing the event as a key moment in the party’s “protest vote” campaign aimed at unseating the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

In his New Year address delivered earlier this week at the party headquarters in Makerere-Kavule, Kampala, Bobi Wine urged Ugandans to overcome fear and push for political change through peaceful means.

“Let fear be replaced by courage. Let the power return to its rightful citizens, the people of Uganda,” he said. “Uganda shall be free not by the bullet but by the unbreakable will of the citizens of Uganda.”

Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said 2026 should mark a turning point for the country, calling on citizens to reject dictatorship, corruption and abuse of power through the ballot.

Religious and civil society leaders have continued to appeal for peaceful campaigns as election day approaches, amid memories of clashes.