Bobi Wine: A Musician Turned Politician
"When our leaders have become misleaders and mentors have become tormentors. When freedom of expression becomes the target of oppression, opposition becomes our position."
- Bobi Wine, "Situka"
36 year old musician, Bobi Wine, was elected to Parliament as an independent in 2017. One of few musicians to not support President Museveni and take a stance against him.
Beginning his music career in the early 2000s, Wine has promoted his charts as "edutainment," a play on educational entertainment. His fan base, created from years in the music industry and film industry, gave the star the ability to change careers and become a politician, providing a voice for the youth of Uganda (m10). With three-quarters of Uganda's population under the age of 35, Wine has become a "rallying figure for a youth angry at poor job prospects and stagnant politics" (m2).
Seen as a challenge to Museveni's presidency, Wine was among "more than 30 other opposition politicians [who] were charged with treason after the president's convoy was allegedly pelted with stones after a campaign rally" in August 2018. His arrest and alleged assault only served to bring international attention to Wine, and a closer rallying around Wine's growing "people movement" (m2).
Wine is among those who challenged the social media tax instated in 2018, as well as an opposition to the abolishment of a "constitutional upper age limit, set at 75 for presidential candidates." The new bill allows for Museveni, age 74, to run for a sixth term in 2021; Museveni has held office since 1986 (m10).
Situka is Luganda for "Rise up," Wine's release of the song served to communicate an important message to his fans and electors, motivating his "people power" movement (v8).
