Soroti City was brought to a standstill on Thursday as thousands of supporters thronged Nakatunya Primary School in Soroti City West to attend a massive campaign rally addressed by the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
From as early as midday, roads leading to the rally venue were choked with enthusiastic crowds, many waving NUP flags, chanting slogans, and singing revolutionary songs as they awaited the arrival of the opposition leader.
By the time Bobi Wine mounted the podium at 4:46PM, the venue was overflowing, forcing regional party leaders to repeatedly appeal for calm as more supporters struggled to access the grounds.
Addressing the energized crowd, Bobi Wine said the overwhelming turnout in Soroti was a clear sign that Ugandans, particularly the people of Teso sub-region, were ready for political change.
He declared that the 2026 general election would mark a turning point in the country’s history.
“Ugandans are tired of empty promises, corruption, and suffering. The massive numbers you see here today show that the people of Soroti and Teso have decided that enough is enough,” Bobi Wine said amid thunderous applause.
The NUP flag bearer urged his supporters to actively protect their votes on polling day, reminding them of their rights under the law.
He specifically cautioned voters not to leave polling stations immediately after casting their ballots.
“The Presidential Elections Act and the Parliamentary Elections Act allow voters to remain within 20 meters of the polling station after voting,” Bobi Wine told the crowd. “Do not disappear. Stay nearby peacefully and make sure your vote is protected until results are declared.”
His remarks were met with loud cheers, as many supporters nodded in agreement, raising their fingers in a symbolic show of unity and vigilance.
Bobi Wine also used the rally to criticize President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s long-standing pledges to the people of Teso, particularly the most recent promise of five cows per household.
He challenged the Iteso community to demand accountability before the next election.
“For years, you have been promised compensation. Before you vote again, ask where those cows are,” he said. “Do not be intimidated. Demand what was promised to you before polling day.”
The opposition leader argued that unfulfilled pledges were part of a broader pattern of political deception that had left many regions underdeveloped despite decades of promises.
Calling for regime change, Bobi Wine said Uganda needed a new political direction anchored on transparency, service delivery, and equal opportunity for all citizens.
He emphasized that his campaign was not about individuals, tribes, or regions, but about building a new Uganda.
“This is the time for a new Uganda, a Uganda where leaders serve the people, not themselves; where hospitals have medicine, schools have teachers, and young people have jobs,” he said.
He further urged young people to take the lead in shaping the country’s future, describing them as the backbone of Uganda’s liberation from what he termed poor governance and injustice.
As the rally concluded, supporters escorted Bobi Wine through the city streets, chanting pro-change slogans and vowing to remain peaceful but firm in their quest for political transformation. Despite the heavy police deployment, the rally ended without major incident, leaving Soroti gasping for breath and firmly on the national political map.
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