Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu also known as Bobi Wine, is a Ugandan politician, businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist and musician, better known by the stage name Bobi Wine. Effective 11 July 2017, he serves as the member of parliament representing Kyaddondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region.

Background and education

He was born on 12 February 1982, in what was then Mpigi District, but is now Gomba District. He grew up in the Kamwookya slum in the northeast part of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. He was baptized Robert Kyagulanyi in the Roman Catholic Church. He attended Makerere University in Kampala, where he studied misic dance and drama, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.

Career outside politics

Discography

Wine started making music in the early 2000s. His first singles were Akagoma, Funtula, and Sunda (featuring Ziggy D), which brought Wine into the limelight. He was the President of the group Fire Base Crew. When that group disbanded he started a new group of which he is the president: "Ghetto Republic of Uganja". In 2008, the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) gave him a professional boxing license.

Film

Wine is also a movie actor, mainly starring in local movies commonly known as Binayuganda.In 2010, Bobi Wine was cast in Cleopatra Koheirwe's drama film Yogera and in a lead role in a Twaweza supported film Situka with Hellen Lukoma in 2015.

Politics

In April 2017, he announced his candidacy for parliament in an upcoming by-election for the Kyaddondo East Constituency. His house to house walk campaign attracted a lot of attention both in Uganda and abroad.He won that contest by a wide margin, beating two seasoned candidates: Sitenda Sebalu of the ruling National Resistance Movement party and Apollo Kantinti of the main opposition Forum for Democratic Change.

Personal life

Wine met his wife while he was at Makerere University and she was a S6 student at Bweranyangi Girls' Senior Secondary School. Their wedding took place in August 2011. They have four children together: Solomon Kampala Nyanzi, Shalom Namagembe, Shadraq Shilling Mbogo, and the one born in August 2015.In 2013, after having shown a good example caring for his children on his Ghetto President Reality TV Show, he was appointed parenting ambassador by Twaweza. At his home in Magere Village, Wakiso District, Wine raises his children away from the media glare. He said to The Daily Monitor about his home life, "I have this big garden at home and I always ensure we go together to dig and get food, whenever we can. I do that because I want them to learn to live an ordinary life, not as a celebrity’s children."In a 2015 interview, Wine’s wife Barbie spoke of his canceling work trips to take care of thir children during her fourth pregnancy when she suffered from severe morning sickness. Wine lost his father, whom he credited with influencing him to be a good parent, on 10 February 2015. The vigil and burial attracted hundreds of mourners, including government officials and other celebrities. One month later, he released the song "Paradiso," which had the message of valuing your parents while they still live.