Bobi Wine distrusts elites… but still wants to be like them

Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has built his political brand on the premise of fighting for the common Ugandan.

At the vigil for the late Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya organized by the National Unity Platform (NUP) which he leads, Kyagulanyi told supporters that he loved the legislator because he was not an ‘elite.’

“Ssegirinya was fighting for the common person. In a short time, he achieved more than these politicians who speak good English but only care about themselves. So when you are electing Ssegirinya’s replacement, you should choose someone who knows the problems of the common people, who does not only stop at speaking good English,” he said amidst ululations from the crowd. fighting for “bringing

Ssegirinya fit the profile of the archetypical “foot soldier,” the kind of person that Kyagulanyi says he came to root for. His English was patchy, he did not dress fancifully, and appeared to be in touch with a common person.

Kyagulanyi’s political rise was indeed fueled by his opposition to Uganda’s long-serving political class.

Many political analysts opined that he was a breath of fresh air compared to someone like Dr Kizza Besigye who had been caricatured as a conventional politician in the same category as President Museveni, the person he had failed to dislodge from power.

During the presidential campaigns, Kyagulanyi often argued that politicians, especially those in government, had prioritized their wealth and comfort over the suffering masses. This made him a darling to young people especially in urban centres.

The same line of thought can be gleaned from many of his social media posts, where he often derides those in positions of power, labeling them as disconnected elites who have no real connection with the everyday struggles of Ugandans.

Kyagulanyi led the onslaught on Mathias Mpuuga, the former leader of the opposition over the Shs 500 million service award. He said his former deputy president was another of those “elites” who are just concerned about their stomachs and not the plight of the common people. His supporters joined in the chorus.

Yet scrutiny of Kyagulanyi’s lifestyle and some of his choices paint a more complex picture, suggesting a contradiction between his rhetoric (as a fighter for the common man) and reality.

Despite his anti-elite stance, Kyagulanyi exhibits many traits associated with the very elites, the so-called “Mpuugas”, that he criticizes.

From his lifestyle choices to educational aspirations to family privileges, there is ample evidence to suggest that he desires the same luxuries he accuses others of indulging in.

A life of luxury

Kyagulanyi is known for his love of expensive cars. Over the years, he has been seen driving high-end vehicles, including a bulletproof SUV that was a subject of controversy after the 2021 election. These cars are symbols of wealth and privilege, accessible only to a select few in Ugandan society.

While some of his supporters may justify his ownership of these vehicles as a necessity for security reasons, it still presents an image of opulence that contradicts his grassroots persona.

Similarly, his frequent posts about vacations, including images of his family relaxing at his Busabala beach, depict a life that is far removed from the daily struggles of ordinary Ugandans.

Many of the “foot soldiers” who look up to him as a leader barely afford basic necessities, let alone dream of owning beachfront property.

Secondly, Kyagulanyi’s education choices are similar to those pursued by the very elites he disparages. One of his children studies in the United States, a privilege that is out of reach for most of his supporters who must endure underfunded public schools and a struggling education system.

Last year, Kyagulanyi made a significant public spectacle of earning a Law degree from Cavendish University. By celebrating his own academic achievement, he appears to contradict his earlier stance on elitism.

Kyagulanyi has often criticized lawyer politicians within his party like Medard Sseggona, at times dismissing their expertise as unnecessary for the struggle.

In the same vein, Kyagulanyi often dresses in well-tailored suits, a stark contrast to the rugged attire he donned during his early days as a musician and activist. Of course, one could argue that he also dons overalls while in the field but his shift towards formal attire aligns with the very elite culture he frequently denounces.

Dilemma

Kyagulanyi’s dual existence as both an anti-elite crusader and a participant in elite privileges presents a dilemma.

On one hand, he must maintain his connection with the grassroots supporters who view him as their voice. On the other hand, he seems to be drawn towards the same privileges he criticizes, which may weaken his credibility over time.

Yet this dilemma is not unique to him. Many politicians who rise on populist platforms eventually find themselves integrating into the systems they once opposed. President Museveni, who was an avowed socialist in the 60s, 70s and early 80s had to embrace capitalism when he took power in 1986. Out went the Kaunda suits in came the tailored double-breast suits.

Some of Kyagulanyi’s supporters have argued that his actions do not diminish his advocacy for the common man. They have suggested that his success does not negate his commitment to fighting for ordinary Ugandans.

Others point to the fact that security concerns necessitate his lifestyle choices. As a politician who has faced arrests, torture, and surveillance, his need for security is understandable.

His high-end SUV vehicles, international connections, and private property could be seen as measures to protect himself and his family from political persecution.

Yet if Kyagulanyi intends to maintain his political brand, he must find a way to reconcile these contradictions.

Will he continue to be the champion of the common man, or will he gradually morph into the very elite figure he once opposed? That’s the question.

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