National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has clarified that his son, Solomon Kampala, is an adult capable of making his own decisions and should therefore be held responsible for his personal statements and actions.
Bobi Wine made the remarks during an interview with journalist Isaac Kaiyz Kawalya in the United States, where he discussed his role as a father and the growing public attention surrounding some of his son’s political and social views.
According to Bobi Wine, Solomon is now 20 years old and approaching his 21st birthday, meaning he has reached an age where he can independently make personal decisions and express his opinions.
The NUP leader said that although Solomon remains his son, his public statements should not automatically be attributed to him or treated as instructions coming from his father.
“Solomon is my son but he is twenty years, and very soon he will be making twenty one, and makes personal decisions. Whatever he speaks and says is his responsibility,” Bobi Wine said.
Bobi Wine’s comments appear aimed at drawing a clear distinction between his own political activities and those of his son, particularly as Solomon has increasingly attracted public attention through his comments on national issues.
The young man has in recent months spoken publicly about matters concerning Uganda, including governance and corruption, prompting discussions on social media and among political observers.
His statements have sometimes attracted significant attention because of his close relationship with Bobi Wine, who remains one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures.
However, Bobi Wine said being his son does not mean that every opinion expressed by Solomon should be interpreted as a position communicated by the NUP president.
He explained that Solomon has reached an age where he is expected to understand the consequences of his choices and take responsibility for what he says publicly.
At the same time, Bobi Wine said his responsibility as a father has not ended simply because his son is now an adult.
The opposition leader explained that he has spent years raising Solomon with particular values and believes that parental guidance remains important even when children become mature enough to make independent decisions.
“I played my role to upbring him morally,” Bobi Wine said, explaining that he takes pride whenever his son expresses views that he considers responsible and appropriate.
He added that he would still intervene and guide Solomon whenever he believes his son has made a mistake or taken an inappropriate position.
“I feel proud whenever he speaks the right thing. When he does wrong, I will guide him,” Bobi Wine said.
The comments highlight the balance Bobi Wine says he is trying to maintain between allowing his adult son to exercise his independence and continuing to perform his responsibilities as a parent.
Solomon Kampala has increasingly become a recognisable figure among young Ugandans, particularly because of his family background and his willingness to comment on issues affecting the country.
His public interventions have attracted both support and criticism, with some people viewing his statements through the wider political identity of his father.
Bobi Wine, however, appears to be urging the public to recognise Solomon as an individual who is capable of forming and expressing his own opinions.
He stressed that Solomon’s relationship with him should not automatically make him responsible for every statement his son makes.
The NUP leader’s clarification comes as public interest in the political activities and views of members of his family continues to grow, particularly among young people following Uganda’s political developments.
For Bobi Wine, the key issue is that his son has been raised with values that should help him make responsible choices, while remaining accountable for those choices as an adult.
He therefore maintained that he will continue to guide Solomon when necessary, but ultimately believes his son must be allowed to make his own decisions and take responsibility for his words and actions.
About the Author
