Museveni; I Have Jobs for Bobi Wine, Besigye

Ugandan President Gen (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, in an interview with the BBC, has expressed his willingness to collaborate with opposition leaders Dr Kizza Besigye and Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Despite a long history marked by political differences, President Museveni stated that he is prepared to extend offers of substantial positions and work together with these prominent figures from the opposition.

Museveni, who has held power since 1986 following a challenging five-year bush war, acknowledged the significant roles played by both Besigye and Bobi Wine in the political landscape of Uganda. Dr Besigye, once the personal physician to President Museveni during the aforementioned bush war, transitioned to opposition politics after serving as a minister and leader within Museveni's party.

Bobi Wine, the charismatic popstar, emerged as a prominent political figure in the 2021 election, with his National Unity Platform (NUP) surpassing Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) as the primary opposition party. While Bobi Wine contested the election and his NUP party claimed victory, Museveni secured another term.

President Museveni's outreach to opposition figures extends beyond his previous collaboration with Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao, whom he appointed as Minister of Justice and Constitutional Minister after the 2021 election. Museveni expressed his openness to extending similar opportunities to Besigye and Bobi Wine.

When asked about the prospect of working with these opposition leaders, Museveni remarked, "No problem [giving Bobi Wine and Besigye jobs and working with them]. I was working with [Paul Kawanga] Ssemogerere in 1996. He is the one who left us," referencing previous collaborations. However, both Bobi Wine and Besigye have previously outlined conditions for engaging in discussions with President Museveni, signaling potential challenges in reaching a consensus.