Podcast Summary: On the Media – “Bobi Wine: The People's President”

Release Date: October 1, 2025
Host: Brooke Gladstone (WNYC Studios)
Guests: Bobi Wine (Ugandan politician, musician, activist), Moses Bwayo (co-director of “Bobi Wine: The People’s President”)

Overview

This episode of On the Media explores the life and activism of Bobi Wine, the Ugandan pop star turned politician challenging long-time president Yoweri Museveni. Through a conversation with Wine and documentary co-director Moses Bwayo, the show delves into Uganda’s political repression, Bobi’s transformation from entertainer to activist, the risks facing his movement, and the global lessons for democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bobi Wine’s Origins & Social Consciousness

• Background:
  • Bobi Wine describes growing up in Kampala’s slums as a “ghetto child,” where survival is the only aspiration.

    “Our dreams are as limited as wanting to make sure that mama gets three meals a day, that there's a guarantee of a shelter over our heads.” —Bobi Wine [02:32]

  • Meeting his wife Barbie was pivotal, inspiring him to seek change for others, not just himself.

    “That's when I started thinking big... ultimately started thinking of challenging for the highest office in the land.” —Bobi Wine [03:02]

• Rise through Music:
  • Initially focused on flashy success, Bobi’s music pivoted after he was assaulted by security.

    “I was a superstar who thought nothing like that would happen to me. Well, it was happening to me now, and that is 2005 or thereabout. Since then, I even changed my music from entertainment to edutainment.” —Bobi Wine [04:23]

  • He began using songs to address corruption, discrimination, and dictatorship.

The Power (and Danger) of Political Music

• Anthems and Influence:
  • Songs like “Freedom” became protest anthems, voicing popular frustrations.

    “Where is my freedom of expression when you judge me because of my expression? Look what you're doing, our nation, what are you teaching the future generation? See our leaders become misleaders and see our mentors become tormentors. Freedom fighters become dictators.” —Bobi Wine [06:27]

  • Bobi never joined state-sponsored artist groups, maintaining integrity and authenticity. — Highlighted by Moses Bwayo [03:31]
• Repression:
  • The government eventually banned Bobi’s music and name from radio.

    “That’s when I started realizing that indeed, it was deliberate to ban political education...” —Bobi Wine [08:28]

Entering Politics: From Parliamentarian to President Contender

• Parliament Victory & Constitutional Fight:
  • Bobi won a parliamentary seat in 2017, became a key opposition force, and led resistance against Museveni’s removal of presidential age limits.

    “When he removed the age limit to stand for the election, I decided to challenge him. And we were massively supported.” —Bobi Wine [09:23]

• State Violence and Torture:
  • Following his activism, Bobi was detained, tortured, and charged with treason:

    “Everything nasty happened to me, from beating to having testicles squeezed, to having ears pulled with pliers, to having needles injected in my nails. I don't want to talk about it.” —Bobi Wine [11:03]

  • Despite hardships, Bobi remains determined:

    “Nelson Mandela said it always seems impossible until it's done.” —Bobi Wine [11:41] “Some things honestly, will never recover from them. The only way I can recover is knowing that it can never happen to me again.” —Bobi Wine [11:49]

The 2021 Presidential Election and Post-Election Repression

• Crackdowns on Campaign:
  • Bobi and his supporters faced arrest, violence, and abductions during and after the 2021 elections.

    “What you see in the film is just a scratch on the surface. It is brutal, brutal, violent regime.” —Bobi Wine [13:18]

• The Role of Documentary & International Attention:
  • Moses Bwayo describes five years of filming amid escalating risk.
  • The documentary’s global visibility led to tangible safety improvements—if only briefly:

    “The military and police that had cordoned off Bobby's house withdrew because of the news of the nomination.” —Moses Bwayo [17:46]

  • Still, abductions and violence are ongoing: “Right now, as we speak, three of our colleagues are missing. They were abducted two weeks ago. They've not been seen.” —Bobi Wine [14:45]

The Human Cost & Family Sacrifices

• Personal Dangers:
  • Family is not spared: “We will never be safe here until Museveni is gone. But I never… the children can't stay there.” —Bobi Wine [15:10]
  • Moses Bwayo had to flee Uganda after threats and detainment; he now seeks asylum in the US.

    “I've been locked up in prison, interrogated. We couldn't live in the country anymore.” —Moses Bwayo [17:13]

The Ugandan Struggle in Context: Institutions, Democracy, and International Aid

• Fragile Institutions:
  • Bobi underscores the need for judiciary, fair elections, and robust media.

    “We don't have any of that now. What we have in Uganda is absolute state capture.” —Bobi Wine [21:05]

• Avoiding New Tyranny:
  • Asked how he’d avoid becoming another lifelong ruler, Bobi emphasizes collective liberation, not personality-centered politics:

    “We want to liberate ourselves as a nation and guarantee that we can do that again and again and again if anybody ever turned into another Museveni.” —Bobi Wine [20:02]

• Appeal to International Community:
  • Bobi calls for the US and EU to tie aid to democracy and rights.

    “The people of Uganda, while they appreciate their assistance, would want the European Union and America and all development partners to make respect for democratic principles and human rights a precondition for all that aid.” —Bobi Wine [18:31]

Lessons for the World

• Vulnerability of Democracy:
  • The episode closes with a warning that democracy is fragile everywhere:

    “Our situation is not only a lesson to Uganda, it's a lesson to everywhere… democracy is always fragile and must be guarded jealously and is always one step of sliding out of your hands.” —Bobi Wine [21:22]

Memorable Quotes

• “Don't blame the one who expose the crime. Blame the one who commit a crime.” —Bobi Wine [00:29]
• “Ugandans are stubborn, they're young, and they are out to defy the regime.” —Bobi Wine [16:52]
• “Please do not ignore us.” —Moses Bwayo [17:38]
• “Democracy is always fragile and must be guarded jealously.” —Bobi Wine [21:22]

Notable Timestamps

• 02:32: Bobi talks about growing up as a “ghetto child.”
• 03:31: Moses on Bobi’s influence and refusal of regime co-optation.
• 04:23: Bobi describes his transformation from entertainer to activist.
• 06:27: Bobi recites lyrics from his song “Freedom.”
• 09:23: Discussion of the campaign to defeat Museveni’s constitutional amendment.
• 10:07–11:23: Bobi recounts torture and state brutality.
• 13:18: Bobi on the limits of the documentary to capture the scale of violence.
• 14:37: Ongoing abductions and repression highlighted.
• 17:13: Moses recounts his exile for safety.
• 18:31: Bobi’s international call to action regarding foreign aid.
• 20:02: Bobi on avoiding the cycle of dictatorship.
• 21:22: Bobi’s warning about the fragility of democracy, world-wide.

Tone & Language

The conversation is intimate, direct, and urgent. Bobi Wine speaks with resilience and honesty about deeply personal trauma and high political stakes, while Moses Bwayo brings the perspective of a filmmaker-turned-activist exiled by circumstance. Host Brooke Gladstone probes with empathy and clarity, highlighting the global pertinence of the Ugandan struggle.

Conclusion

This episode is a compelling portrait of courage in the face of repression, demonstrating how music, media, and collective action can threaten entrenched power. It not only documents Uganda’s struggle but also serves as a reminder to all listeners about the vigilance required to protect and sustain democratic freedoms.