Today, presidential hopeful H.E. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, is campaigning in Masaka City, the Kabaka’s city. Masaka is one of the districts that make up Buddu County, the second-largest county of the Buganda Kingdom after Ssingo County. The people of Masaka and Buddu at large have a strong connection to the Kabaka, and the Kabaka’s voice is highly respected.
Buganda Kingdom has made significant contributions to the development of Masaka, including establishing Muteesa I Royal University. Previously, Masaka was a municipality. In 2020, the Government of Uganda granted seven municipalities city status, but Masaka was omitted. However, through the Kabaka’s influence and push, Masaka was later elevated to city status. Because of this, the Kabaka holds strong influence in Masaka, and winning the area often depends on maintaining good relations with the Buganda Kingdom and addressing Buganda issues during one’s campaign.
Kyagulanyi’s choice to wear a kanzu, the cultural outfit of Buganda, is therefore a demonstration of his conviction and commitment to the Buganda Kingdom and its culture. Before setting off, he warned the public about a regime plot to plant operatives wearing NUP official colours to cause chaos and blame it on NUP.
“I have received security intel that some regime operatives have been given NUP T-shirts and red headbands to cause chaos at Lukaya and Masaka, and blame it on NUP! Let them not dare. The world is watching,” he posted on his official Facebook and X pages.
Hundreds of his supporters are currently standing by the roadside waiting to receive him, despite heavy military deployment from Kampala to Masaka.
