Musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, has questioned the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) grasp of the concept of a “protest vote,” arguing that the opposition party’s actions ahead of the 2026 elections contradict its claims of widespread public support.
Speaking in an interview , Bebe Cool said NUP’s decision to field fewer parliamentary aspirants this election cycle compared to 2021 shows a decline in political momentum.
“I don’t think people in NUP understand the meaning of the term ‘protest vote,’” he said. “If you look at the numbers, NUP has fronted only 297 parliamentary aspirants this time, compared to 507 in the last election, while the NRM has over 500 candidates.”
Bebe Cool, a well-known supporter of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), said this reduction raises questions about NUP’s organizational strength and strategy. He also criticized NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, for what he described as a failure to seek political guidance from experienced figures such as former FDC leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
“My young brother doesn’t want to learn or seek knowledge from elders who have been in politics,” Bebe Cool said. “When you see what he is doing, it doesn’t make sense.”
He urged opposition leaders to build strong party structures and invest in political education rather than relying on emotional appeals and protest politics.
