Ugandan celebrity musician sworn into parliament

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By CGTN Africa

Popular Ugandan musician Bobi Wine, real named Robert Kyagulanyi has been sworn into the country's parliament after winning the election, reports Daily Monitor.

“Honourable Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu I congratulate you and welcome you to the 10th Parliament. Here is a copy of the rules of procedure and Constitution. Study them and they will guide you,” said the Speaker Ms Kadaga.

Bobi won with 77 percent of the votes after running as an independent candidate, beating candidates from the ruling NRM party and opposition party, FDC.

Robert Kyagulani, commonly known as “Bobi Wine” waves to his supporters’ moments after being sworn in as a Ugandan Member of Parliament on July 11, 2017. /VCG Photo

A court declared vacant the Member of Parliament seat of the Kyaddondo East Constituency that led to the election in late June that the musician won.

Wine transformed from a brash, dreadlock-wearing, slum-dwelling youth to a charismatic sharp-suited and savvy politician according to the Daily Monitor.

Further adding that, Bobi embodies the struggles, frustrations and hopes of the young, poor and marginalised in a youthful nation whose often elderly rulers can seem dismissive of their plight.

Twitter Photo

Bobi grew up in Kamwokya, one of Kampala’s poorest slums. He was a background singer before making it to university where he studied music and drama prior to launching his solo career.

Shortly after taking his oath, Bobi Wine was appointed to the parliamentary committee on Presidential Affairs.The Presidential Affairs Committee oversees the operations of the Office of the President, including State House and Kampala Capital City Authority among others.

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