The alleged abduction of two Kenyan activists in Uganda has ignited a regional crisis, drawing condemnation from human rights leaders and a shocking rebuke from a Kenyan senator who sided with the Ugandan government.
The incident involves activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were reportedly seized by armed operatives in a “mafia-style” operation at a petrol station in Kireka, Kampala, on Wednesday, September 1. According to witnesses, the two had stopped to repair their vehicle when they were bundled into a van and driven to an unknown location. Their phones were switched off immediately after the abduction.
The activists were in Uganda to attend a political campaign event and meet with National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate and prominent government critic, Bobi Wine.
Bobi Wine Condemns “Rogue Regime”
In a forceful statement on his official X account, Bobi Wine linked the abduction directly to the activists’ association with him and their solidarity with his cause.
“We strongly condemn the abduction by armed operatives of Kenyan activists and human rights defenders Bob Nyagi [sic] and Nicholas Ayoo [sic],” Wine stated. “We condemn the continuing lawlessness by the rogue regime and demand that these brothers be released unconditionally! The criminal regime apparently abducted them simply for associating with me.”
He emphasized that the act undermines the spirit of cross-border solidarity among pro-democracy advocates.
Kenyan Senator Urges Uganda to “Deal With” Activists
In a startling twist, Kenyan Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei issued a statement on Thursday, September 2, not in support of his fellow citizens, but in support of the Ugandan government’s right to detain them.
“Our Kenyan activists should stop exporting bad manners to other countries because in Kenya, there is too much freedom for them,” Cherargei stated. “The Uganda government must deal with anyone who wants to undermine or threaten their national security and integrity.”
He pointed to a previous incident where activists, including the well-known Boniface Mwangi, faced trouble in Tanzania. “These gentlemen should ask what happened to their fellow activists… a few months ago while trying to export bad manners to Tanzania,” he added, framing transnational activism as a threat to national security.
Calls for Immediate Release
The activists’ abduction has prompted immediate calls for their release. Hussein Khalid, CEO of the human rights organization Vocal Africa, added his voice to the growing chorus, demanding the Ugandan government ensure the “immediate and unconditional release of the two.”
The event highlights the perilous environment for political opposition and activism in Uganda, especially in the lead-up to elections. It also exposes a sharp divide in political opinion within East Africa, where some government officials view cross-border political solidarity as an unacceptable challenge to sovereignty.
As of now, the whereabouts of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo remain unknown, and the Ugandan government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
