By KT Reporter
Bobi Wine has demonstrated nationwide political strenght so far but that doesn’t mean that there is nothing he can benefit tapping into Dr Kizza Besigye’s political capital and good will.
Outside Buganda and Busoga, Kyagulanyi still remains shaky and it will be prudent for him to tap into the Besigye political infrastructure and network to strenghten his politics. Even when he may not be the dominant force there, Besigye still has some dependable network of political support in Bunyoro, Kasese/Rwenzori, Teso, Bugisu, Busoga, Greater Mbarara, Lango, Acholi-land, West Nile, greater Bushenyi, Karamoja sub region and more significantly his home turf of Kigezi. And closely working with him in all these areas strengthens as opposed to weakening Bobi Wine.
As of 2016, which is barely 10 years ago, Besigye did very well (actually won) in Kasese, Rukungiri, Kampala and many other places where his good will and political capital remains. He thrice thumped Museveni and carried Teso, Acholi, Lango, West Nile, Rwenzori, Kampala and a few other places. This was the case in 2001, 2006 & 2011.
Imagine Bobi Wine of 2021 had maintained these regions and only added on Buganda and Busoga. Wouldn’t Museveni be history by now? Besigye thrice delivered the Presidency vote in those regions and also backed MP and Local Council candidates who defeated NRM ones in Teso, Acholi, Lango and West Nile.
Besigye-backed MP candidates thrice (2001, 2006 & 2011) won in those regions and put NRM into minority. In his case, Kyagulanyi of 2021 had his backed MP candidates win only in Buganda and that was all. To his credit, he beat Museveni in Busoga but his NUP got only one MP Manjeri Kyebakutika from the sub region.
So, clearly would be too early and deceptive for anyone to write Besigye off-and declare him a spent force-given that he hasn’t been in any direct political race or competition with say Bobi Wine to prove that fewer people or voters believe in him today than was the case before the advent of Bobi Wine.
Away from the presidency, Besigye’s active involvement in say 2026 campaigns could help increase winning chances for several lower level positions-seeking actors from the opposition namely for MP and local council positions. So, Bobi Wine and whoever else will be seeking elective office ought to advise themselves not to be overtly antagonistic to him (Dr. KB).
Closely working with KB and even jointly campaigning with him will create momentum and re-energize the opposition base and consequently grow Kyagulanyi’s own electoral base or vote by several millions. That will be real bad news for the ageing veteran leader from Rwakitura.
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However, there are smaller and less significant political races for especially MP positions which are going to complicate chances for successful political collaboration between Bobi Wine and Besigye’s group at Katonga. These include the race for Semujju Nganda’s Kira Municipality.
Nganda is a key pillar at Katonga and it will be hard to have an effective political collaboration for as long as Kyagulanyi’s man George Musisi is antagonising him in Kira. That antagonism will only complicate as opposed to accelerating the political relationship between the two Principal actors at Katonga and Kavule.
The other race is that of Kampala lord mayorship. Katonga President Erias Lukwago is the incumbent and remains popular with the ordinary voters in Kampala. He still wants to vie for the same yet NUP is fronting Eng Nsubuga Balimwezo, the Nakawa East MP.
Even when he can’t defeat Lukwago, Balimwezo’s candidature will complicate as opposed to being a facilitating factor for the two Principals to forge common ground.
There are several other races including the Nansana Municipality one where Harod Kaija, the outspoken Katonga secretary general will most likely be facing someone from NUP whose Nsereko Wakayima currently has the constituency.
In Nakawa east, where NUP is currently holding, ex-area MP Mike Kabaziguruka’s entry trying to reclaim the seat, will equally complicate things. Kabaziguruka is a key pillar in the Katonga decision making machinery.
The earlier all these and many other similar contradictions are resolved the better if at all the two Principals are going to ever find the much-desired common ground going into 2026 campaigns. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
