Kenyan activists Uganda abduction,Two Kenyan human rights activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, have gone missing in Uganda after allegedly being abducted by armed men while attending a campaign event led by opposition leader Bobi Wine. This marks the latest in a series of politically motivated incidents involving activists and opposition figures in the region.
The Abduction Incident
According to opposition leader Bobi Wine, the two activists were “picked up mafia-style” at a petrol station in Kampala and driven off to an unknown location. Njagi, a prominent activist, was previously involved in activism in Kenya and had been abducted by masked men in 2024, only to be released after a court order. The recent abduction in Uganda has raised concerns among human rights organizations, who have called for an immediate investigation into the disappearance.
Ugandan police, however, have denied any involvement, with police spokesperson Kituma Rusoke stating that the two are not in police custody. The authorities have urged international organizations to reach out to other security agencies if they wish to investigate further.
Bobi Wine’s Campaign and Its Political Implications
Bobi Wine, a former pop star and current opposition figure, is challenging President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming 2026 presidential election. Wine has publicly condemned the abduction, suggesting that the activists were targeted for their association with his campaign. His party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), has faced increasing repression, with members and supporters often harassed and arrested by security forces.
Bobi Wine has called on the Ugandan government to release the activists immediately, describing the abduction as part of a broader effort by the government to suppress dissent and silence opposition.
Human Rights Concerns and Regional Impact
The abduction of Njagi and Oyoo reflects a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances and targeted violence against activists and opposition figures in the East African region. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Vocal Africa have condemned the growing trend, pointing out that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have often collaborated to silence political dissidents who seek refuge in neighboring countries.
This is not the first such incident in the region. Earlier in 2025, prominent Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire were detained in Tanzania, where they were reportedly subjected to physical abuse before being deported. Similarly, Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye was detained in Nairobi in 2024 and later appeared in a Ugandan military court facing treason charges.
Call for Action
The Law Society of Kenya and human rights groups have jointly written to the Ugandan High Commission, demanding to know the whereabouts of the two activists and calling on the Ugandan authorities to ensure their safe release. The activists’ families and international organizations are also closely monitoring the case, which has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for the international community to intervene.
The abduction of two Kenyan activists in Uganda highlights the continued suppression of political dissent and activism across East Africa. As protests and human rights abuses mount, calls for greater accountability and transparency in governance will continue to grow. The fate of Njagi and Oyoo remains uncertain, but their case has brought attention to the ongoing political repression in Uganda and beyond.
