Renowned Ugandan musician Ibrahim Mayanja, popularly known as Big Eye, has formally declared his allegiance to the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and its leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, as he eyes a parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections.
Speaking to a local media ,Eye confirmed his intention to contest as Member of Parliament for Nansana Municipality under the NUP ticket.
He expressed unwavering support for Kyagulanyi’s presidential ambitions, stating: “We will always support the NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi, until he takes the Presidency. We have hope in him. He is going to change this country. He loves this country. It is not pretence.”
Big Eye said he is now aligned with the people’s interests, a shift he attributes to his previous political affiliations.
“My life was negatively affected when I supported the NRM. That was the past, and I would like to keep it in the past. I am now a member of NUP, and I am moving forward,” he noted.
He added that the National Unity Platform represents the voice of Ugandans: “I am now on the side of the people. The National Unity Platform represents the people. I am sure that the people will allow me to represent them. The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
The musician-turned-politician was recently seen campaigning for NUP’s Elias Nalukoola in the Kawempe North by-election, saying it was important for him to attend party activities as a committed member.
Challenging stereotypes about artists, Big Eye dismissed claims that musicians are uneducated, stating, “A lot of people think musicians are uneducated. That is far from the truth. Many of us are educated. We just had other talents that we pursued.”
Big Eye joins a growing list of artists and entertainers turning to active politics, many of whom have aligned themselves with the opposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.