OORO: Bobi Wine's Potential Oscar Win Will Offer Reprieve for Local and Global Supporters

“A grave crisis in the education sector. In almost every district of Uganda, we have children studying under trees. After 36 years of a corrupt, inept regime! What matters to Museveni and his decadent regime is regime perpetuation- nothing else. This is why #WeAreRemovingADictator”

This is a tweet from January 20, 2022, by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, famously known as Bobi Wine. He was replying to a post by Daily Monitor newspaper that reported primary school pupils in Eastern Uganda studying under trees due to a shortage of classrooms.

Uganda is regarded as the pearl of Africa because of its abundant biodiversity, colour, profusion, brilliant life and serene beauty, all set against the backdrop of a nation decimated by an iron-fisted inept regime and economic downturn.

When he came to power in 1986, President Yoweri Museveni promised to uplift women and spearheaded the enactment of a constitution that would guarantee equality for all Ugandans.

Then, he recognised that there was no such thing as a pure African culture. That same African culture he is now "protecting" displaced women from their land, killing innocent children for having disabilities and mutilating women and children's genitalia.

Museveni acknowledged that it was time for Africa to look colonialism in the eye, count her losses and move on. Early in his regime, there was a sexual revolution, the beginning of genuine recovery from Idi Amin's era, when women were not allowed to wear miniskirts and intolerance reigned.

But like most revolutionaries, he lost focus and the benefits of the revolution started to matter less. Museveni clenched his fists and reinforced intolerance from the post-colonial era.

On January 15, 2024, the now world-famous modern-day Uganda liberation champion -- delivered a compelling address that encapsulated a year marked by adversity and resilience -- shedding light on the challenges faced by the opposition in Uganda.

The musician-cum-politician commenced his speech with a symbolic mic check, leading into a reflection on the turbulent events of the past year, 2023. He drew attention to the alleged misappropriation of relief items in Karamoja by top government officials, emphasizing the dire consequences faced by the region’s impoverished population.

With a solemn tone, Bobi Wine recounted the wave of abductions and arbitrary arrests, detailing the unjust imprisonment of his colleagues, Hon. Ssewanyana and Hon. Ssegirinya, for over 500 days without a fair trial.

He then transitioned to the alleged orchestrated attacks on opposition leaders, including himself, expressing concern over a series of shootings that he believes may be a precursor to a government-led crackdown.

He emphasized the significance of upholding Article 3 of the Constitution and urged citizens to mobilize against what he termed “dictation.” His address not only encapsulated the ongoing struggles faced by anti-Museveni politicians but also depicted a picture of a resilient movement striving for justice and democratic values in the face of adversity.

Amidst these challenges, Bobi Wine highlighted the international acclaim received for the documentary, “The People’s President,” which scooped a global cinema gong in New York and is now in contention for an Oscar award at the upcoming 96th Academy Awards, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). 

The ceremony which will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood will be televised live on America Broadcasting Corporation and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

For Wine, clinching an Oscar accolade would not only mobilize support within the pearl of Africa but also stimulate greater global solidarity for his cause. It would remind the world that the struggle for democracy and human rights in Uganda is part of a larger global movement towards justice and equality.

For local supporters in Uganda, seeing one of their own stand on the biggest artistic stage to receive such a coveted prize, will be incredibly awe-inspiring and empowering.

It could reignite hope and determination within the opposition movement, encouraging them to press on with their fight for freedom and justice despite the challenges they encounter.

Bobi Wine and Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino during a past Citizen TV interview. /FILE

From his acceptance speech to interviews and media appearances, a win will offer him an unprecedented opportunity to advocate for change – allowing him to amplify his message, rally international support, and pressure the rigid-minded President Museveni to address the issues raised in the documentary.

Ooro George is a Kenyan journalist, art critic, digital stories, and cross-cultural curator. You can reach him via LinkedIn here, through email: [email protected] and on Twitter @OoroGeorge