Here’s a look at the times Kahinda Otafiire has underestimated Bobi Wine’s potential

East African Affairs Minister Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire on December 08 punched holes in National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s potential to rule Uganda.

Otafiire spoke to ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders from Greater Bushenyi as Uganda’s long-serving president Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni campaigned in in the area.

In power since 1986 after a five-year bush war in which Otafiire participated, Museveni is seeking to extend his rule to four decades.

Otafiire Bobi Wine it would be absurd for Bobi Wine to rule bush war generals like him.

“I like Kyagulanyi’s songs, but Kyagulanyi can’t lead me. I did not fight in Luweero for Kyagulanyi to lead me. We went to Luweero and fought, then now you tell me to be ruled by Kyagulanyi!” Otafiire said in his address to NRM leaders gathered at St Kaggwa Primary School.

“No! Can he take us anywhere?”

He also warned the NRM “will not hand over power to anyone threatening violence.”

This is not the first time Otafiire has underrated Bobi Wine. Here are other statements the outspoken general has said about the singer-turned-politician:

December 08, St Kaggwa Primary School

I like Kyagulanyi’s music but I don’t appreciate his leadership style. He is a gifted musician but as a leader, he is wanting. If you think Kyagulanyi can make a better Uganda, let him prove it. Somebody who doesn’t appreciate the power of debate! Someone who tells people to crowd in the era of covid-19! Excuse me, Uganda deserves better.

I went to the bush to fight for ideas and not individuals. We didn’t fight to hand over power to civilians but to make Uganda a better place than we found it.

I don’t think Bobi Wine’s popularity is due to his political arguments. It is because of music and what he has been doing is sloganeering. Before we put Bobi Wine on the steering wheel, we must weigh him. There is time for excitement in politics and time for thoughts. NBS Frontline, November 07, 2019

Bobi Wine is not popular because of his excellent political philosophy. Now, what do we want? A musician or a political philosopher? For us, we were fighting against Idi Amin. It was a do or die. This man has been singing.

They go wrong. The circumstances are entirely different, our challenge is not his challenge, he is a nappy kid, we are peasants. He is a singer and composer, we are political philosophers and revolutionaries.

So, there is absolutely no contact between Bobi Wine’s agenda and ours. Let those who want music go with Bobi Wine, but those of us who want proper governance and democracy and national progress, we look for people who have an understandable, readable and discernable political philosophy. If I want music, I will listen to Mariah Carley, Franks Natarra or any other artiste. Saturday Monitor, November 21, 2020

I have heard all this noise about people power; which power do you represent? Where are these people? The one we know is the LCI chairperson, people power is exercised by the LCI chairperson through the ballot box.

We will guard this power using the army and air force. Whoever tries to disrupt this power, you are welcome but what will come next, don’t regret… Yes, you can attempt to remove government through violence. I don’t say it is not possible but know it is not easy and be prepared for the consequences. Kashenshero Town, Mitooma District, October 29, 2019