Ugandan opposition lawmaker Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has been cleared by the electoral commission to contest for president.
He can now start official campaigns for the presidency, according to local media report.
Bobi Wine will challenge nine other contenders including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power since 1986.
Police earlier in the day fired tear gas to disperse his supporters who turned up to show support in the capital, Kampala.
Bobi Wine told his supporters in a tweet that they “now enter the most critical phase of our liberation struggle”.
Thank you God
Thank you Uganda
Thank you Africa
Thank you WorldWe now enter the most critical phase of our liberation struggle! pic.twitter.com/Lfzj0LB2Nq
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) November 3, 2020
The elections are slatted for next year and opposition candidates have a major task to unseat incumbent President Museveni.
I have been duly nominated by the Independent Electoral Commission as a candidate for the 2021 presidential election. I thank my nominators, the two young people, Nassur Gaddafi and Hellen Seku. #M7Nomination #SecuringYourFuture pic.twitter.com/0jYxUIMbID
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) November 2, 2020
Bobi Wine who is a musician declared his intentions to run for president in 2019.
He has been in parliament for over two years and calls himself the president of the ghetto.
Bobi Wine has in the past clashed with the government resulting in arrest and detention by the police.
In 2018 he was arrested and tortured in detention after his supporters were accused of attacking the convoy of President Yoweri Museveni.
Source: Africafeeds.com