Four-time former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has officially endorsed the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, ahead of the Thursday elections.
Besigye’s endorsement comes just four days before the national polls. Uganda is set to head to the polls on January 15, 2026, following the expiration of the five-year term of both the president and legislators.
Winnie Byanyima, who visited Besigye in detention last week, conveyed a special message from him.
“While he is in prison, he is not earning anything, but he has friends. Among those friends, he fundraised and said we should get this money and give it to you to support the last push of the campaign,” Byanyima said.
She also thanked opposition supporters for standing with Besigye and other detainees, describing a recent prayer meeting as a symbol of unity and resilience.
“Today was a very special day as we held prayers for Dr. Kizza Besigye and all the other political prisoners at Dr. Besigye’s home in Kasangati. We are very grateful to Winnie Byanyima for hosting us and for her warm reception and words of encouragement amidst the repression and grave violations of rights,” Bobi Wine said.
Bobi Wine expressed gratitude to Dr. Besigye for sending a message of encouragement and hope.
“Despite being in prison, he sent us a generous financial contribution for the final stage of our campaign. We are very grateful. I also appreciate the families of political prisoners for their resilience and for doing everything possible to keep pressuring the regime to free their loved ones. In unity, we shall overcome every obstacle on our path to freedom,” he added.
Besigye, along with Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola, were allegedly abducted in Nairobi in 2024 after attending a book launch hosted by Kenyan politician Martha Karua.
Prosecutors allege that the trio later traveled to Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya, where they attended both physical and virtual meetings allegedly aimed at plotting the overthrow of the Ugandan government, in collaboration with operatives based in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.
They are also accused of failing to report knowledge of these alleged treasonous activities between 2023 and November 2024, contrary to Ugandan law.
