Two Kenyan activists who vanished in Uganda more than a month ago were released after President Yoweri Museveni publicly confirmed their arrest and accused them of collaborating with the opposition to destabilize his government ahead of next year’s general election.
Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were taken by armed men on October 1, shortly after attending a rally by opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. The two had traveled to Kampala to support Wine’s campaign, but their disappearance triggered diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Kampala after Uganda initially denied detaining them.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi announced on Saturday that Njagi and Oyoo were freed and handed over to the Kenyan ambassador following “open and constructive communication” between the two governments. The pair arrived home the same day, recounting harrowing experiences of torture, starvation, and confinement in a Ugandan military facility allegedly guarded by special forces.
“We were in military detention by the special forces. I didn’t eat for 14 days. We were tortured,” Njagi told reporters upon landing at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Ugandan authorities had long denied involvement in their detention. On October 22, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) issued an affidavit stating that the activists were not in military custody. However, Museveni later acknowledged that security forces had indeed detained the two Kenyans.
Speaking during a press briefing in Kampala on Saturday night, Museveni said Njagi and Oyoo were “working with Kyagulanyi’s group” and were “experts in riots.” He warned that any future protests in Uganda would “end up badly,” referencing the deadly unrest that erupted in November 2020 after Bobi Wine’s arrest.
Museveni, 80, accused foreign actors of attempting to undermine Uganda’s growing economy and natural resource independence. “They are worried about Uganda. Uganda is moving very strong — industries growing, food secure, and now we are getting our oil. So they are very worried,” he said.
Kenya reportedly pressed Uganda to either charge or release the two men. Museveni confirmed that he acted after diplomatic requests from Kenyan officials.
The long-serving president, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in the upcoming January election, despite mounting criticism over his government’s crackdown on opposition figures and civil liberties. His remarks reignited debate over political repression, cross-border human rights violations, and the treatment of foreign nationals accused of backing opposition movements.
