NEW YORK —The leader of the People Power movement, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, has said he is ready to end gun rule in Uganda once he becomes president in 2021.
Addressing thousands of people at TIME 100 Next event in New York city on Thursday, Bobi Wine, who has been selected for TIME 100 Next list which is dedicated to spotlighting the leaders of tomorrow, said corrupt military men are now in charge of every aspect of the economy in Uganda.
“I will put an end to gun rule. Police and military have been reduced to playing politics,” he said.
The singer-turned politician said since declaring intentions to run for presidency, he is worried about his safety every day
“I’m very worried about my safety. I think about it every day. But I know that the task ahead of me is so important that my safety is not a priority,” he said.
He revealed that he is always trailed by military personnel. “A person like me cannot leave my home without being followed around by security.”
The 37-year-old said corruption is “literally what keeps President Museveni in power,” adding that “he rewards corrupt officials with even bigger offices.”
Wine has been in the U.S. for more than a week, visiting different cities to drum up support among Ugandans living abroad. He said that most Ugandan professionals have left the country and he hopes they will either return or continue “giving ideas back home.”
“The best way we can bring them back is to make conditions better,” Wine said.
Last week, the Mayor of Boston city in USA, Ms Jeanette McCarthy, has promised to support Bobi Wine’s 2021 presidential bid.
Bobi Wine was in Boston last Saturday night for a fundraising dinner organised by his supporters.
Ms McCarthy lauded Bobi Wine for having courage to challenge the status quo.
“It begins with courageous people when there is injustice that is what everyone is looking for in Uganda because democracy in that country is not so good. It is always said that absolute democracy works absolutely in many states and I can assure Mr Wine that USA will give you support,” she said.
In his speech, Bobi Wine said he was compelled him to run against Mr Museveni due to many injustices in the country such as poor education, bad health services, lack of rule of law and continued injustice.
“We are not going to international agencies and foreign governments for support but I will run to Ugandans in the diaspora to help fund the cause. This is the time to have locally funded election to remove dictator Museveni who has caused misery to our country,” he said.
