His candidacy for the next presidential election, Bobi Wine made it official during a rally, Wednesday, July 24 in Kampala. "On behalf of the people of Uganda, I challenge you in a free and fair election in 2021," said the 37-year-old opposition MP, speaking to Ugandan President Yoweri Musevini.

Faced with the aging head of state, head of the country since 1986, Bobi Wine wants to represent renewal. "We will challenge the president, we will create a synergy with the forces of change," he told France 24 in June. In a country where every second inhabitant is under the age of 16, one who has made himself known by singing ragga carries the aspirations of youth. "He is seen by young people as a new and legitimate voice for Uganda" explains to France 24 Kristof Titeca, lecturer at the Institute of Development Policy and Management at the University of Antwerp and specialist in East Africa.

"We are not your grandchildren"

A youth who only knew Yoweri Musevini as president. To stay in power, the current head of state has twice amended the Constitution, including removing, at the end of 2017, the age limit of 75 years that would have prevented him from representing himself. A leader who raises a wave of indignation in August 2018, addressing Bobi Wine as a "grandson". On social networks, anger is expressed by the hashtag #WeAreNotYourGrandChildren ("we are not your grandchildren ").

WOAH WOAH WOAH ... Hold up, #WeAreNotYourGrandchildren

Just #FreeBobiWine pic.twitter.com/X1GfXa6Kz3

Qwenga (@bkyeyune) August 23, 2018

Dear Museveni, # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren # WeAreNotYourGrandchildren

MF (@mfsemuju) August 18, 2018

Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, knows his audience. In July 2018, he fights against the rise in the cost of the Internet connection, according to him to silence the opposition, in full swing, especially on social networks. A logical position for the one with over a million "fans" on his Facebook page, and more than 333,000 followers on Twitter. In comparison, the current president of Uganda has half as many fans on his Facebook page.

"His reputation, Bobi Wine owes it to coming from the ghetto, he did not use the old political tactics based on corruption," says Kristof Titeca. "The legitimacy of Musevini is increasingly challenged by young people.The fact that it brought a climate of peace in the country in 1986 [by ending the civil war, Ed] is not much in the eyes of a majority of the population born after that date ".

The promises of Bobi Wine are rooted in the present. In his speeches, he refers to unemployment or the improvement of public transport. "This is what people expect," said the university, in a country where 83% of unemployed people are young.

From outsider to symbol of oppression

If his songs have always been a way to take a position, it is only from 2017 that Bobi Wine enters the political world by being elected MP. Soon, it becomes a symbol of government oppression. "The fact that the government is trying to silence him, especially by canceling his concerts, reinforces the youth," says Kristof Tetica. After being arrested several times, he is charged in July 2018 for organizing an illegal rally.

In August, he was arrested again for "treason", after being thrown by stone on the presidential convoy in the city of Arua. Supports are multiplying on social networks, especially through the hashtag #FreeBobiWine ("Free Bobi Wine"). Upon his release from detention, he claims to have been tortured by the authorities.

Judgments that do not prevent him from launching his candidacy for the presidential election. "I know the danger I'm going to face by challenging Museveni, but I was encouraged by the Ugandans who told me that I was the leader they wanted." A statement that corresponds in any case to the many messages of encouragement present on its social networks. "It remains to be seen whether he and his movement will have the ability to make a real change in the country", beyond the simple image of renewal he proposes, wonders Kristof Tetica.