Ugandan singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, has garnered an Oscar nomination for his documentary ‘The People’s President.’ The film has been selected in the Best Documentary Feature category alongside ‘The Eternal Memory,’ ‘Four Daughters,’ ‘To Kill a Tiger,’ and ’20 Days in Mariupol’ for the 2024 Oscars.
This historic nomination follows the documentary’s recent win of the ‘Audience Choice Award’ at the Cinema Eye Honors 2024 Awards on January 12, 2024, in New York. Bobi Wine expressed his gratitude on social media, describing it as a ‘humbling moment’ and utilizing the opportunity to advocate for a democratic Uganda.
“Our film #BobiWineThePeoplesPresident, which sheds light on General @KagutaMuseveni’s oppressive regime and the resilient citizens resisting, has been nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars. It’s truly humbling to witness the Ugandan narrative recognized on the global stage of the Academy Awards – the most prestigious awards in the world!” he shared.
The documentary, officially released in September 2023, chronicles Bobi Wine’s political journey from his entry into politics in 2017 as Kyaddondo East MP to his presidential candidacy in 2021. It portrays him as a politician who employs his music to challenge the regime led by Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni.
In a surprising turn, the Oscars nominations include five internationally focused documentaries in the Best Documentary Feature category, featuring Bobi Wine’s documentary by National Geographic. Despite the film being affiliated with National Geographic, it was directed by Ugandan natives Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp, marking their first Oscar nomination.
Bobi Wine commented on the news, stating, “It is such a humbling moment to see the Ugandan story make it to the Academy Awards – the most prestigious and significant awards in the world. Today the fight for democracy in Uganda and around the world lives on. Thank you for this recognition!”
The film, released in 2022, illustrates how Bobi Wine risks his life to challenge President Museveni’s oppressive regime, facing opposition from the country’s police and military. The winners of the 96th Academy Awards will be revealed on March 10, 2024, in Hollywood.
In a broader context, Bobi Wine’s documentary, titled ‘The People’s President,’ signifies a powerful symbol for the fight for democracy not only in Uganda but globally. It stands alongside ‘Four Daughters’ as the only African representation at the 2024 Academy Awards, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for political freedom and human rights. The announcement of nominations took place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, with the awards ceremony scheduled for March 10. The directors, Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo, stressed the film’s potential to influence Uganda’s future, particularly amid ongoing political challenges faced by Bobi Wine and his supporters.