Kasangati, Uganda – In a striking display of opposition solidarity, veteran Ugandan activist Kizza Besigye, who remains imprisoned on treason charges, has sent financial support to opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, as Uganda approaches its presidential election on January 15, 2026.
Besigye, a longstanding figure in Uganda’s political landscape, arranged for his wife, Winnie Byanyima, to deliver an undisclosed sum of money to Bobi Wine’s campaign.
The handover occurred on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Besigye’s residence in Kasangati, north of Kampala, during a gathering attended by supporters and local leaders.
Speaking at the event, Byanyima said she was acting on Besigye’s instructions following her visit to him in prison on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Byanyima said she was acting on Besigye’s instructions following her visit to him in prison on Friday, January 9, 2026.
She acknowledged the limitations imposed by his detention, explaining that Besigye earns no income while in custody and cannot engage in work. Instead, friends and allies helped raise funds for the opposition’s campaign push.
"He told me to collect the money and give it to you for the last push of the campaign," Byanyima told Bobi Wine during the handover.
"He told me to collect the money and give it to you for the last push of the campaign," Byanyima told Bobi Wine during the handover.
She also relayed Besigye’s best wishes to the candidate, recognizing the challenging environment in which opposition leaders operate.
The gesture carries symbolic significance, representing a rare show of unity among opposition figures in Uganda. Besigye and Bobi Wine, both vocal critics of President Yoweri Museveni, have historically been political rivals. Besigye, who challenged Museveni in four elections between 2001 and 2016, often clashed with Bobi Wine, who rose to national prominence later and contested Museveni in 2021.
In recent years, however, the two opposition figures have increasingly found common ground. Analysts suggest that rising pressure on opposition leaders and growing concerns over electoral fairness have encouraged collaboration, even among former rivals.
The gesture carries symbolic significance, representing a rare show of unity among opposition figures in Uganda. Besigye and Bobi Wine, both vocal critics of President Yoweri Museveni, have historically been political rivals. Besigye, who challenged Museveni in four elections between 2001 and 2016, often clashed with Bobi Wine, who rose to national prominence later and contested Museveni in 2021.
In recent years, however, the two opposition figures have increasingly found common ground. Analysts suggest that rising pressure on opposition leaders and growing concerns over electoral fairness have encouraged collaboration, even among former rivals.
Besigye’s financial support underscores this shift, signaling a potential strategic alignment within Uganda’s opposition ahead of one of the most contested elections in decades.
Besigye’s continued detention has drawn international attention. Authorities arrested him in November 2024 after his return from Kenya, and prosecutors charged him with treason in February 2025—an offence that carries the death penalty under Ugandan law.
Besigye’s continued detention has drawn international attention. Authorities arrested him in November 2024 after his return from Kenya, and prosecutors charged him with treason in February 2025—an offence that carries the death penalty under Ugandan law.
Despite repeated bail requests, courts have denied him freedom, citing national security concerns and the gravity of the charges.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned political leader, has centered his campaign on creating jobs, curbing presidential powers, and ending police brutality.
Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned political leader, has centered his campaign on creating jobs, curbing presidential powers, and ending police brutality.
His rallies continue to attract large crowds, particularly among Uganda’s youth, who are frustrated with high unemployment, restrictions on political freedoms, and pervasive government surveillance.
Yet, Bobi Wine’s campaign has faced continuous challenges, including repeated arrests of supporters, disruption of public rallies, and limits on media coverage.
Yet, Bobi Wine’s campaign has faced continuous challenges, including repeated arrests of supporters, disruption of public rallies, and limits on media coverage.
The financial support from Besigye, therefore, offers both practical assistance and a morale boost as Bobi Wine intensifies efforts for voter mobilization in the final days before the election.
The upcoming election is marked by heightened tension, with President Museveni seeking a seventh term after nearly four decades in power.
The upcoming election is marked by heightened tension, with President Museveni seeking a seventh term after nearly four decades in power.
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