Mr Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine, the leader of the People Power movement has launched a “Students’ Power” platform aimed at mobilising students at all levels of education to join and own the struggle that he says will change to political, social and economic situation of their country.
The Kyaddondo East Member of Parliament says the Students’ Power is an offshoot of People Power Movement and it will be the epicentre of “shaking up” the nation’ to cause the “long-awaited liberation” of Uganda.
More than 700 students leaders drawn from 240 public and private institutions of higher learning across the country attended the launch at Mr Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere in Kasangati in Wakiso District on Tuesday.
Student activism is a widely known phenomenon where students rally themselves and other citizens to cause political, environmental, economic or social change.
Although often focused on schools, curriculum and educational funding, student groups have influenced greater political events for decades across the world.
Bobi Wine who intends to vie for presidency, says he has been moved by the student’s spirit showcased during their protests against oppressive policies for years, in Uganda.
He says the students’ movement would be a special wing of the revolution, which will deliver the message of change to communities given the fact that many citizens believe in students who are seen as intellectuals and future leaders.
Bobi Wine’s rise to the political stage in Uganda started from poor neighbourhoods of Kampala commonly known as the ghetto.
Most of his peers and admirers refer to the politician-cum musician as the “Ghetto president”.
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years, started a campaign to wrestle some ghetto support from Bobi Wine.
Mr Benjamin Katana, the People Power Movement legal advisor, says they chose to take the struggle to students after noticing their courage and desire to challenge the status quo.
Mr Roy Ssemboga, the coordinator of education institutions in the People Power Movement, says that as students they have decided to join the struggle because of their conviction that the People Power ideology seeks to address the current political, social and economic quagmire and making the youth participate to shape their destiny.
He said that they have been called by destiny and they have answered by rising from their slumber to peacefully cause change.
Bobi Wine, however, warned the students who have chosen to join the struggle of a rough and hostile road ahead of them.
He said that they will be subjected to brutality, intimidation and attempts by state agents to silence them by giving them short term incentives like money and uninspiring jobs in the civil service.
“Keep your eyes on the crown,” he said.
