KAMPALA, Uganda – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed the arrest of two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were detained in Uganda for 38 days.
The two Kenyans had traveled to Kampala on October 1, 2025, to support opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, when they were reportedly abducted in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
In a radio talk show on Saturday evening, Museveni said Njagi and Oyoo were arrested for allegedly collaborating with Bobi Wine to incite riots in Uganda.
“Here we have very good intelligence…we know them. We have got two Kenyans whom we arrested. They have been with us…They were working with Kyagulanyi’s group. They are experts in riots,” Museveni said.
The activists were released on Saturday, November 8, and handed over to the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said their release followed “sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda,” emphasizing that open communication between the two governments ensured the safe return of the nationals.
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Njagi revealed that they endured harsh conditions at the Kasenyi Military Barracks in Entebbe.
“We were in military detention by the special forces. I didn’t eat for 14 days. We were tortured,” Njagi said.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had earlier denied holding the two Kenyans. In an affidavit dated October 22, Col. Silas Kamanda, Director at the Joint Staff Legal Services, stated that investigations found Njagi and Oyoo were not in the army’s custody.
The incident has drawn attention to cross-border activism and security measures in Uganda, highlighting ongoing political tensions surrounding opposition activities in the country.
