BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT

By Christopher SHARP, Moses BWAYO

DOGWOOF - as FEST

Documentary - Completed 2022

In Uganda’s 2021 presidential election, music star, activist and opposition leader Bobi Wine, together with his wife Barbie, rallies his people in a dangerous fight for freedom from President Museveni’s oppressive 35-year regime.

Festivals
& Awards

Venice - Biennale 2022
BFI London FF 2022
Telluride FF 2022
IDFA 2022
    • Year of production
    • 2022
    • Genres
    • Documentary
    • Countries
    • UGANDA, UNITED KINGDOM, USA
    • Languages
    • ENGLISH
    • Duration
    • 114 mn
    • Director(s)
    • Christopher SHARP, Moses BWAYO
    • Synopsis
    • his observational documentary film follows Bobi Wine and his wife Barbie. Bobi rises from the ghetto slums of Kampala to one of the country’s most loved superstars. His musical talent lifts him and emboldens millions of previously voiceless people. Bobi uses his music for activism, then becomes an Independent Member of Parliament to stand to defend the rights of his people, the ghetto people. Bobi’s wife, Barbie, by standing with him, plunges her own life into uncertainty.

      The film is an examination of the disturbing misuse of the legal and parliamentary systems, two supposed pillars of democracy. The country’s institutions are controlled by the State to ensure President Museveni, an autocratic strongman, who has held power since 1986, continues to rule Uganda. Bobi and Barbie must risk everything, their lives and their futures to challenge him. The state is determined to silence, not only them, but anyone who supports their cause. This is not just a story for Uganda, it is a narrative for all those who struggle under dictatorial regimes. Those who oppose them quickly discover that Western democracies have interests that do not extend to holding autocrats to account. This story has never been so relevant.