In a candid livestream on Christmas Day, celebrated musician and National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter Bebe Cool voiced his frustration over President Yoweri Museveni’s strict adherence to electoral laws. While praising the 80-year-old leader’s discipline and tireless work ethic, Bebe Cool highlighted how the president’s unwavering commitment to following the law has made it difficult for his campaigners to effectively mobilize support.
The musician pointed out that President Museveni could easily take a different route, one that bypasses the constraints of the law. “He could simply order the army to fix the election and declare himself the winner,” Bebe Cool said. However, the singer emphasized that the president deliberately chooses to remain within the boundaries of the law, sticking to regulations even when it complicates the campaign process for his supporters.
Bebe Cool expressed that the president’s disciplined approach to campaigning, which involves strict compliance with electoral laws, has often left his supporters feeling hamstrung. The musician admitted that working within these legal confines has made it challenging to galvanize voters, particularly when it restricts their ability to organize processions or hold large rallies.
Reflecting on the 2021 general elections, Bebe Cool shared how the Covid-19 restrictions significantly impacted Museveni’s campaign. He noted that while opposition leader Bobi Wine drew large crowds, the president’s gatherings were limited to small groups of about 200 people in tents, making it hard to generate the kind of excitement that the opposition was able to stir.
Bebe Cool revealed that, in an attempt to boost the campaign, he proposed organizing processions and distributing party T-shirts, but this idea was swiftly shut down when the president caught wind of it. “When the president learned of this, he stopped us. I was very disappointed,” Bebe Cool admitted, explaining that his desire to create momentum for the president’s re-election bid was thwarted by strict adherence to the law.
The musician further disclosed that during the current election cycle, the Electoral Commission has banned all processions, a directive that Museveni has fully complied with. This has created additional frustrations for the president’s supporters, who feel their hands are tied in their efforts to engage voters on a larger scale.
Despite the challenges, Bebe Cool acknowledged the president’s dedication to fair campaigning, even if it means playing by the book to a fault. He mentioned that Museveni has instructed his team to follow only authorized routes and venues, refusing to take shortcuts or indulge in unapproved campaign strategies, such as spontaneous stops at markets to excite crowds.
While Bebe Cool’s remarks reflect a deep respect for Museveni’s discipline, they also highlight the growing tension between legal constraints and the desire for a more energetic, unrestricted campaign. His frustrations underscore the difficulty of running a political campaign under tight regulations, even when the candidate is one of the longest-serving leaders in Africa.
