As a campaigner, Bobi Wine is cheerful and stylish, our critic writes. Katumba Badru/National Geographic

By Lynsey Chutel

The power of an Oscar

For the Ugandan opposition politician Bobi Wine and his wife, an Oscar-nominated film feels like a “bulletproof vest.”

That’s what Barbie Kyagulanyi, Wine’s wife, said about the film “Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” one of the nominees for best documentary feature this year.

Wine is a leading opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The film examines the 2021 presidential election in Uganda. Wine, who is also a popular singer in the country, has been arrested multiple times and has been held under house arrest.

The film shows Kyagulanyi’s determination to free her husband, as well as tender moments between the couple. “The more the world knows about our plight, the safer we become,” Wine said in an interview by email. “An Oscar win would mean life secured.”

The Oscar ceremony will be held on March 10 in Los Angeles.