National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi, widely known as Bobi Wine, has accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of deliberately hindering the development of the Teso region to maintain political control.
Speaking to an energetic crowd at Arrow Square on Saturday in Soroti, Kyagulanyi claimed that President Museveni’s government has systematically kept the region underdeveloped to suppress progress and solidify its hold on power.
“Soroti and the entire Teso region have immense potential,” Kyagulanyi said. “But somebody has kept you poor to control you. They know that if you rise economically, they will lose their grip on power.”
The rally marked the culmination of a tense day, as police blocked major roads to the city center, forcing Kyagulanyi to navigate through the suburbs to the NUP regional office and to reach Veritas Radio for a scheduled talk show. Despite these obstacles, his supporters gathered in large numbers to hear him speak.
“I am aware of the poor health system, the challenges in education, and the daily struggles you face,” Kyagulanyi continued, addressing the crowd.
He emphasized that these hardships were not accidental but part of a broader strategy to keep the region economically stifled.
Highlighting the unresolved issue of cattle losses in Teso, he argued that the government’s failure to compensate affected communities had weakened the local economy.
“They destroyed the cattle economy and cotton farming. Do not expect compensation from Museveni because it is his way of keeping this region subdued,” Kyagulanyi said passionately.
The NUP leader also pointed out the challenges in accessing higher education, despite Soroti being home to significant institutions, including a university and a flying school.
“Even with these institutions in place, the unfair terms of entry ensure that the people of Teso remain excluded,” he noted.
Kyagulanyi’s speech painted a picture of systemic neglect.
“This government dismantled what made Teso strong our cotton industry and meat processing facilities—and they have no intention of reviving them,” he added, accusing the administration of a deliberate agenda to undermine the region’s economic autonomy.
He closed the rally with a rallying cry for unity.
“We must come together and say enough is enough. The power to change our future is in our hands,” Kyagulanyi declared, urging the people of Teso to take a stand for their development and rights.
The event underscored Kyagulanyi’s growing influence in the region and his continuous challenge to the NRM’s long-standing rule.
