Bobi Wine’s presidential ambitions have gained new momentum after top US politicians flew into the country and met him promising him full support ahead of 2021 general elections
The two politicians have been identified as Coons Christopher and Chris Van Hollen both US senators and CEO Care U.S. Marry Nunn.
They met Bobi and People Power publicist Joel Ssenyonyi. at US ambassadors Deborah Malac’s residence in Kololo a kampla suburb.
According to People Power officials briefed about the meeting, the two Americans promised Bobi Wine “full support” for his presidential bid.
They further promised to mobilize diplomatic support for Bobi in the United States and elsewhere. The development underscores Bono’s strength in the international community. However, U.S. politicians usually support African politicians to serve their commercial interests.
Coons, a harsh critic of President Museveni, sits on the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
However, Hollen confirmed the multiple meetings with Bobi Wine but denied backing him for president.
“I thought it was important that we met with Bobi Wine,” Van Hollen said of a brief meeting toward the beginning of the trip (August 12-14), “and not because the United States should take a position or support any particular candidate.”
Hollen added: “We should not do that, but we should support a process that creates more political space and room for dissent within the democratic process.”
The presence of Nunn at the meeting also fuels speculation that NGO, Care the U.S. is funding Bobi Wine and his People Power pressure group. It is understood that a reception was held during the Kololo meeting also attended by Hon Beatrice Akello, woman MP Otuke District, and local and international NGO dignitaries.
Contacted, Ssenyonyi said “there were many guests the ambassador invited for a cocktail. We too went for that and left.” While it may not be President Trump’s policy to support the opposition in Uganda, U.S. politicians can lobby their NGOs and other foreign forces to cause regime change.
President Museveni has for decades maintained good relations with Washington and backed U.S.’ war on terror.
However, ties became sour when the US accused president Museveni of torturing opposition members and cracking down any opposition gathering.