Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyangulanyi alias Bobi Wine has expressed pride and honor to have been named among the world’s 2019 Next 100 Most Influential People in the Time Magazine.
In his celebration post, Bobi Wine reflected on his background as he recalled the old days when he used to sell radio cassettes on the streets of Kampala plus collecting grasshoppers for survival.
Before he recreated his childhood hustle while growing up the Firebase Crew boss dedicated the recognition to the youths as he encouraged them not to mind what other people talk or think of them.
This is what he has to say;
To say that this is extremely humbling is an understatement!
I feel very honored to be named amongst the TIME 100 Next- a list of the world’s next most influential people and rising stars. I am very delighted to share this recognition with 99 other highly accomplished individuals who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, and more.
I am dedicating this recognition to the young people of Uganda, especially the ghetto youth. May this be a reminder and encouragement that you are not what your detractors say you are. You are what you choose to be!
I have been reflecting on my life and the many things I have gone through – from selling radio cassettes on the streets of Kampala; to collecting grasshoppers for survival; to working as a dobbi, etc. Now, making it to such a list! I can only return all the glory and praise to the Almighty and pay tribute to all those who have been part of this journey.
When you get such a recognition, it does not only call for celebration- it also calls for deep reflection. This can only strengthen our resolve to fight on, struggle on, soldier on- until freedom, human rights and equal opportunity return to our country, and indeed our continent.
According to the Time Magazine website, it stressed that Bobi spent his career singing about social injustice. In 2017, he decided to take things a step further by running for and winning, a seat in Parliament. Now the 37-year-old singer, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has set his sights higher, announcing in July that he will take on President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for the past 33 years through a combination of deft politics, questionable election practices, and constitutional manipulation.
