Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi says he will continue to use music as a strong tool for communication even as he heads to Parliament to represent Kyadondo East Constituency. Popularly known to his fans as Bobi Wine, the 35-year-old musician secured a landslide in the Kyadondo East by-election, beating four other candidates including two former legislators.
Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi says he will continue to use music as a strong tool for communication even as he heads to Parliament to represent Kyadondo East Constituency.
Popularly known to his fans as Bobi Wine, the 35-year-old musician secured a landslide in the Kyadondo East by-election, beating four other candidates including two former legislators.
Kyagulanyi who contested as an Independent candidate got 25,659 votes while his closet rival, the ruling NRM party candidate Sitenda Ssebalu polled 4,556. Apollo Kantinti, who won the seat in 2016 before court nullified his election over lection malpractice, polled 1,832. Other candidates were Muwada Nkunyingi who got 575 and Male Kayongo Sowedi who managed only 377 votes.
Now Kyagulanyi plans to continue his music saying leadership needs talent and music is his talent. He says music is a universal language which has brought people together but also used to communicate issues affecting local people such poverty and disease.
Kyagulanyi says that just like he has done with music, he will use politics to bring the people of Uganda together. He says his victory is for a new idea of leadership focused on the people for their own interest.
Kyagulanyi says his music, always focusing on social justice, will complement his role in Parliament.
//Cue in: "Man, I'm a…
Cue out: to the People."//
Kyagulanyi sends a message to those who, as he put it, stereotype musicians thinking they will not perform at the highest political stage. He says as a youth who grew up in the slum he is better placed to represent poor people because he understands their needs.
//Cue in: "There is something…
Cue out: a rub-a-dub style."//
Kyagulanyi will spend the next three years and eight months in Parliament legislating and debating on matters that affect the nation. He joins other artistes already in the House who include Lubaga South MP Kato Lubwama and Buikwe Woman MP, Judith Babirye.
The seat fell vacant after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court decision nullifying the election of Kantinti. Court ruled that there was non-compliance with election rules during the February 18, 2016 elections, including disfranchising the voters and also failing to secure custody of election materials.
The ruling followed a petition to court by Sitenda Sebalu who lost to Kantinti by a margin of 326 votes.
Born on February 12, 1982 in Mpigi District, Kyagulanyi grew up mostly in the slums of Kamwokya in Kampala and struggled with education until he attained a Diploma in Music Dance and Drama at Makerere University. He is currently pursuing a degree in law.
Also known as the Ghetto President by his peers, Kyagulanyi started making music in the early 2000, with a first hit Akagoma and Funtula which propelled him in the music world. He was part of the Kampala based Fire Base Crew but later founded the Ghetto Crew located in Kamwokya, where he grew up.
He is known for his other singles such as Kadingo which talks about personal hygiene, Ebibuuzo about social life, Obululu Tebutwawula and Dembe, both talking about election violence.
He is married to Barbie Itungo and they have children.
Alex Otto
Freelancer
