KAMPALA. National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has accused the government of neglecting Kasese District, blaming the alleged marginalization for underdevelopment, floods, unemployment, and past violence.
Speaking during rallies on Friday at Nyakasanga Playground in Saluti B Cell, Nyamwamba Division, and at Karambi Primary School grounds in Mpondwe Lhubiriha Town Council, Bobi Wine called on residents to reconsider their support for President Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
“When I was still in school, I used to read about Kasese, about Kilembe of copper mining. Kasese would now be compared to Kampala because copper was coming from here, but 40 years later, its operation was halted. Fifty years ago, we had a train here, people would leave Kasese in the morning , work in Kampala and return in the evening ,” Bobi Wine noted as he said the district, rich in natural resources, has not reaped the benefits over decades.
“People of Kasese, what have you gained from Kilembe Mines and the copper that came from here after 40 years of contributing to Uganda? You should have an airport by now. But if you need to go to Rwanda, you must first travel eight hours to Kampala and then to Entebbe before catching a flight,” Bobi Wine remarked.
The pop-star cum politician also highlighted the destruction caused by repeated floods, noting that reconstruction of homes, schools, and health facilities has been slow, while youth unemployment remains high.
“Fifty years ago, people used trains to go to Kampala every day. That railway should have been maintained. East African countries planned a standard-gauge railway. Kenya built theirs from Nairobi to Mombasa, but in Uganda, funds for construction were embezzled,” he claimed.
On cross-border relations, he promised that, if elected on January 15, 2026, Kasese would partner with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo on business rather than treat border communities as adversaries.
Bobi Wine urged citizens to look beyond tribal divisions, accusing Museveni of maintaining power through “divide and rule.”
“In our government, everyone will have equal rights. Factories and development projects will be set up across all regions,” he said.
He also expressed distrust in Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama, warning voters to remain vigilant.
“Use your phones. Don’t go away; rigging is done at the polling stations. We have 77,000 villages, and the police cannot outnumber us,” Bobi Wine said, outlining a “protest vote” strategy for supporters.
Byabakama has defended EC’s position against voters camping on polling stations to “protect votes” saying it would cause unnecessary congestion.”
Museveni ,82 who is contesting with seven other candidates including Bobi Wine is seeking a term that could extend his rule to nearly 50 years.
In the 2021 presidential elections, Kasese had 384,038 registered voters, of whom 234,004 turned out. Bobi Wine won 102,382 votes (45.04%) while Museveni received 109,275 votes (48.07%).
The number of polling stations for the upcoming elections has increased from 684 to 1,033, covering 867 villages across 44 lower local governments.