The National Unity Platform (NUP) on Sunday, September 6, launched Bobi Wine’s Day, an initiative aimed at recognising and celebrating the party’s founder and president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The initiative will see NUP members and supporters dedicate the first Sunday of every month to reflecting on what they describe as Kyagulanyi’s sacrificial leadership and contribution to Uganda’s political landscape.
Supporters marked the inaugural celebration through a range of activities, including wearing clothes bearing Bobi Wine’s image, undertaking community service, donating to vulnerable groups, visiting victims and carrying out other acts of charity within their communities.
The initiative was reportedly conceived by comedian Reign as a way of recognising what supporters consider Bobi Wine’s contribution to Uganda’s politics. It was later promoted by party mobiliser Abibub Buwembo, attracting considerable attention on social media and among members of the public.
The campaign received support from a cross-section of Ugandans, including entertainment personalities. Images and videos of people dressed in red the NUP’s signature colour and wearing clothes bearing Bobi Wine’s image were widely shared across social media platforms.
As part of the celebrations, Buwembo and other supporters visited RACH Uganda in Busege, where they donated essential items to people with disabilities.
Buwembo said the initiative was not simply about wearing a T-shirt bearing Bobi Wine’s image, but about translating the celebration into acts of kindness and service.
“This doesn’t end at wearing the T-shirt. Do any good deed that brings you joy, pleases God and even that person being celebrated, for the contribution that he has laid towards our country in fighting against injustice and dictatorship in the country,” Buwembo said.
Meanwhile, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Lubongoya visited elderly people, whom he supported with basic necessities, including food.
Hon. Muyonjo Hussain, popularly known as Swengere, said the initiative would become a recurring activity rather than a one-day celebration.
“Every first Sunday of the month, we shall be celebrating our president,” he said.
The celebrations also extended to places of worship, with some supporters attending church services to pray for Bobi Wine and offer thanksgiving on his behalf.
Several NUP legislators praised Kyagulanyi for what they described as his role in awakening Ugandans to the importance of participating in the country’s political and public affairs.
However, the celebrations were not without incident. Police arrested some young men who were reportedly wearing red T-shirts during the activities.
The NUP condemned the arrests and said it would follow up on the cases of the affected supporters.
By the time of publication, Bobi Wine had not publicly commented on the launch of the initiative.
“This doesn’t end at wearing the T-shirt. Do any good deed that brings you joy, pleases God and even that person being celebrated, for the contribution that he has laid towards our country in fighting against injustice and dictatorship in the country,” Buwembo said.
Meanwhile, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Lubongoya visited elderly people, whom he supported with basic necessities, including food.
Hon. Muyonjo Hussain, popularly known as Swengere, said the initiative would become a recurring activity rather than a one-day celebration.
“Every first Sunday of the month, we shall be celebrating our president,” he said.
The celebrations also extended to places of worship, with some supporters attending church services to pray for Bobi Wine and offer thanksgiving on his behalf.
Several NUP legislators praised Kyagulanyi for what they described as his role in awakening Ugandans to the importance of participating in the country’s political and public affairs.
However, the celebrations were not without incident. Police arrested some young men who were reportedly wearing red T-shirts during the activities.
The NUP condemned the arrests and said it would follow up on the cases of the affected supporters.
By the time of publication, Bobi Wine had not publicly commented on the launch of the initiative.