National Unity Platform – NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has called on Ugandans to brace for a tough time as the Presidential campaigns kickoff.

“Hug your loved ones one last time and tell them, we are going to war. We must get our freedom or atleast die trying to get our freedom,” he said.

Kyagulanyi was addressding journalists at the Electoral Commission Offices in Lweza – Entebbe road after he was duly nominated to contest for presidency in the forthcoming elections, a speech that left little doubt about the tone and urgency of his campaign

He framed the contest as more than an electoral battle — casting it as a moral struggle for the nation’s future.

“Uganda existed before Museveni, and it will continue after him,” he said, urging President Yoweri Museveni to ensure a peaceful transfer of power and safeguard the country’s stability.

His declaration was both a rallying cry and a warning. He called on Ugandans, particularly the youth, to rise in disciplined, non-violent opposition against the entrenched regime.

The “war” he referred to emphasizes civic engagement, accountability, and resistance to injustice, not armed conflict.

He also urged the diaspora to return safely and play an active role in the country’s political life, joking that returnees should come “with roses and not handcuffs,” a nod to the significant remittances and expertise they bring to Uganda.

Despite heavy rains that briefly interrupted his speech, Kyagulanyi pressed on, underscoring the urgency of his mission. He highlighted corruption, political suppression, and the silencing of dissent as key issues he intends to confront.

He stressed that his campaign is not just about winning an election but about fighting for justice, reconciliation, and the empowerment of ordinary Ugandans.

Kyagulanyi’s post-nomination remarks also carried a subtle appeal to the international community. By spotlighting systemic abuses and urging a peaceful transition, he framed the election as a test of Uganda’s democracy, inviting both domestic and international scrutiny.

With his declaration, “we are going to war,” Bobi Wine has set the stage for a high-stakes campaign that challenges the status quo. For supporters, it is a message of hope and mobilization; for critics, it is a clear signal that his political movement will not be intimidated.

The coming months promise an intense political battle, as Wine transforms his nomination into a full-fledged movement for change.