Bobi Wine’s Freedom banned in Uganda

A bill proposing the removal of the presidential age limit, which is 75, has been tabled in Parliament. If passed into law, President Yoweri Museveni, who is 73 years old, will be eligible to run for presidency in 2021. Sombrely, Wine says the track is expressing Ugandans’ thoughts and targets Museveni and what he deems a tyrannical government.

The song touches on Uganda’s Bush War of the 1980s that saw Museveni oust Milton Obote, a tyrant, from power. The artist, who questions why the current president is practicing what he fought against, compares Museveni’s government to slavery and the tension in Uganda to South Africa’s during apartheid.

Wine says that while the rest of the world is prospering, Uganda is moving backwards because of its oppressors. The artist questions the purpose of the Constitution, which he calls the country’s last hope. He touches on the lack of freedom of expression in the country. Wine also urges Ugandans to speak up against injustice, as freedom is for all, regardless of age, social class, religion or education.

The artist is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to political and social issues in Uganda. 'Situka', a single he released in 2016, asks Ugandans to stand up against corruption. For fans who don’t understand Luganda, the video has English subtitles.