EU official deletes tweet praising Bobi Wine for promoting LGBTQ rights in Uganda

A Digital Communications specialist at the European Union Parliament, David Vidal Sans has removed a tweet commending National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, for his advocacy of human rights, including LGBTQ rights in Uganda.

Vidal Sans initially posted on Twitter, expressing admiration for Kyagulanyi and labelling him as the "People’s president." However, he later deleted the tweet for unspecified reasons. Nonetheless, screenshots of the tweet have circulated on social media platforms.

"Honored to meet Uganda’s most prominent leader HEBobiWine. He is not only fighting for human and LGBTQ rights but also exposing the dictatorial reality of his country in the 2024 Oscar-nominated documentary, Bobi Wine: The People’s President," as posted by Vidal Sans.

This post has sparked discussion in Uganda online.

Kyagulanyi has faced accusations of promoting LGBTQ rights, which he has consistently denied in various media interviews.

Recently, Dr. Abed Bwanika of Masaka City's Kimaanya Kabonera Division submitted a petition to NUP leadership, urging them to take a clear stance on LGBTQ issues.

Dr. Bwanika stressed the urgency of the matter, citing widespread concerns among the public regarding NUP's alleged support for homosexuality.

He referred to specific incidents, including statements made by Kyagulanyi in international media interviews. One such instance was Kyagulanyi's interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation in December 2023, where he appeared to advocate for LGBTQ rights despite the existence of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act and Penal Code.

Dr. Bwanika also raised suspicions about Kyagulanyi's alleged associations with international LGBTQ activists and sponsors, such as Rev. Jesse Jackson and US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

Concerns were also voiced about potential financial support from LGBTQ organizations to NUP, which might influence leadership decisions, including the removal of former Leader of the Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, due to his differing stance on LGBTQ issues.

Dr Bwanika called for an immediate meeting within NUP to clarify the party's position on LGBTQ rights, emphasizing the need for transparency in addressing concerns among Ugandans, especially parents worried about the impact of such issues on their children within the party.

In a 2023 interview with the BBC, Kyagulanyi argued that the Anti-Homosexuality Act, supported by over 90% of Members of Parliament, was not passed in the interest of Ugandans but as a tool to oppress the opposition.

During this interview, Kyagulanyi, who had been banned from entering the UK for ten years due to his anti-gay lyrics, stated that he had grown and transformed, aspiring to be "known for a leader that is respectful and inclusive of everybody."

He alleged that President Museveni sponsored the law not to protect Ugandans but to target the opposition.

When asked whether he would repeal the Anti-Homosexuality Law if elected president, Kyagulanyi responded cautiously, acknowledging that the law primarily targeted the opposition.

Kyagulanyi appears to navigate a delicate balance between projecting a liberal image in Western societies, where most of his donors are based, and maintaining political support among his predominantly conservative constituents.