BY OUR REPORTER
DOKOLO: The recent presidential campaign in Dokolo, a district in the Lango sub region of Uganda, saw poor attendance for National Unity Platform candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Despite his team’s efforts, the rally at Dokolo Angwecibange primary school play ground lacked the energy and excitement usually associated with Bobi’s campaign events in other parts.
Arriving in the early morning hours, Bobi’s team played his well-known songs, but the locals were not enticed to join in until 4:00 PM when they started interacting with some ghetto boys.
However, even then, the turnup was low, and the crowd consisted mostly of youth and a few adults who were curious to see the musician turned politician.
The official program at the rally didn’t start until 4:41 PM, with the National Anthem.
Bobi Wine, in his address, accused the security leadership of Dokolo district, particularly the Resident District Commissioner Barbra Akec, of discouraging people from attending the rally.
He further highlighted the stark difference between past and present election campaigns, stating that during Obote’s regime, there were no security officers deployed to follow presidential campaigns.
Bobi Wine’s focus during the rally was on revamping institutions such as schools and health centers, as well as improving infrastructure like roads.
However, his statement about people wearing UPC party T-shirts killed residents in Luwero district during Obote’s regime left the small audience in attendance disappointed.
He quickly clarified that these were the actions of rebels of the National Resistance Army (NRA) and not the entire party.
Godfrey Ebyeru, the candidate running for parliamentary seat in Dokolo North, urged voters to support Kyagulanyi and the National Unity Platform.
He criticized the current leadership, likening them to a train that only looks out for their own interests and those of their family members.
Harriet Ageno, who ran under NUP during the Dokolo by-election appealed to Kyagulanyi to consider appointing Ebyeru as a minister in his government if he wins the 2026-31 election.
Ageno also accused the current leaders of Dokolo North of not doing enough to bring electricity to the area.
Other notable figures in attendance included Moses Mawa, the sub regional coordinator for Lango under NUP, the sub regional coordinator for Teso under NUP, and the Deputy President of NUP.
As the presidential election draws closer, it remains to be seen if Bobi’s message will be enough to overcome the challenges he faces in his quest for the presidency.
The poor attendance at Bobi Wine’s rally in Dokolo and Amolatar districts may have been a setback, but it has not dampened the spirit and determination of the NUP candidate as he moves to Oyam district tomorrow for another rally.
