Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu AKA Bobi Wine has been in the news for months now. From trouncing NRM and FDC bigshots for the constituency seat, to rallying winning campaigns for his friends in Bugiri, Rukungiri and Arua. He has been unstoppable.
But, one of Uganda’s long term politician and head of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) President, former minister and sports administrator Jaberi Bidandi Ssali thinks otherwise.
Bidandi Ssali says he politically doesn’t “see much” in Bobi Wine and his People Power efforts to challenge President Museveni.
Bidandi says whereas Bobi wine must be respected for his ability to charm and get thousands of young people behind him, he doesn’t “think his popularity should cause any worry.”
He says he looks at Kyagulanyi “like other politicians who have risen and faded from time to time.”
Bidandi, who praises President Museveni for achieving many things, also accuses fellow opposition parties of failing to have structures. He even cites the same challenges in his PPP Party, saying structures and mobilisation of Ugandans are the only ways to cause regime change.
The aging politician says that to defeat Museveni (whom he says is very smart), People Power supporters must think and act like Museveni and generally do things the way he does them.
The old man from Kiwatule, who in 2003 bitterly fell out with Museveni for opposing his 3rd term, now confesses Museveni is invincible (undefeatable) because he is always ahead of his opponents.
He also defends Museveni against those who say he should name his successor. Bidandi says the constitution is clear on how Uganda gets new Presidents.
“Change of president can only come through free and fair elections. However in Uganda this is yet to happen. The elections we have always have flaws. Unless that changes, the chances of real regime change are minimal” Bidandi says
Bidandi was Minister for Local Government from 1989 to 2004. He was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2011 presidential elections.
