Gunmen Abduct Kenyan Activists in Uganda

Two Kenyan activists were allegedly abducted on October 1 in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, shortly after attending a political rally in support of opposition presidential candidate Bobby Wine.

Bob Njagi, chairman of the Free Kenya Movement, and Nicholas Oyoo, the group’s secretary-general, were reportedly seized at a petrol station by armed men believed to be Ugandan security officers.

The pair had been in the country since September 29, joining Wine’s campaign across the eastern districts of Buyende and Kamuli.

“They were just taken. Four armed men in a grey van, even a woman was with them. They didn’t identify themselves. They just grabbed Bob and Oyoo and sped off,” said a witness who had been traveling with the activists.

How the Abduction Took Place

An eyewitness spoke to the media on condition of anonymity, describing how the abduction happened.

The two Kenyans were last seen around 3 pm. Wednesday. Their phones have since been unreachable.

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Their colleague, who was briefly detained and later released, has not reported the incident to Ugandan authorities, fearing retaliation.

Video footage from Wine’s rally shows Njagi on stage with the presidential hopeful, listening intently and later joining his team on the campaign rallies.

Njagi has previously been a target of abductions. In 2023, he was reported missing for over a month before reappearing after being picked up during anti-government protests in Kenya.

Bobi Wine on the Incident

The incident has drawn criticism from Bobi Wine, who condemned the abduction of the two activists.

“We strongly condemn the abduction by armed operatives, of Kenyan activists and human rights defenders Bob Nyagi and Nicholas Ayoo. The two were picked up mafia-style this afternoon from a petrol station in Kireka and driven off to an unknown destination!”

This indicates a shrinking democratic space, particularly as Uganda prepares for its 2026 presidential election, where President Yoweri Museveni is expected to seek re-election after nearly four decades in office.

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“We condemn the continuing lawlessness by the rogue regime and demand that these brothers are released unconditionally! The criminal regime apparently abducted them simply for associating with me and expressing solidarity with our cause!”

Series of Abductions in the Region

Earlier this year, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were arrested in Tanzania, detained briefly, and later abandoned near the border.

As of September 2, neither the Ugandan nor the Kenyan government had issued a statement regarding the activists’ whereabouts. Efforts by colleagues and supporters to locate them have yielded no results.

“I don’t know which police station he has been taken to. I honestly don’t know where he is as we speak right now. I’m just stranded here.” the witness said

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