Abduction of Kenyan Activists in Uganda Sparks Outrage

Sat Oct 11 2025 03:51:06 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Two Kenyan human rights activists are reported missing after allegedly being abducted by armed men while assisting opposition leader Bobi Wine at a campaign event in Uganda.

In a troubling incident, two Kenyan activists have reportedly been abducted in Uganda while attending an opposition campaign event. Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were last seen being forcibly taken by armed men. Bobi Wine, the opposition leader, condemned the act and claimed it reflects government efforts to suppress dissent. Kenyan police have not commented yet, while local rights organizations demand their immediate release.

Two Kenyan human rights activists have gone missing in Uganda after reportedly being abducted by armed men while attending opposition leader Bobi Wine's campaign event.

Bobi Wine strongly condemned the abduction of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, saying the pair had been picked up mafia-style at a petrol station and driven off to an unknown destination.

Kenyan police spokesman Michael Muchiri told the BBC he was not aware of the matter. The Ugandan police has been approached for comment.

Bobi Wine, a pop star whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is running for the presidency in next year's elections, challenging President Yoweri Museveni, 80, who has held power since 1986.

Bobi Wine stated that the two Kenyans were targeted by the Ugandan government for associating with him. He demanded their unconditional release, calling the regime rogue and condemning the lawlessness of such actions.

The abduction has drawn significant attention from both local activists and international human rights organizations. Vocal Africa, a Kenyan rights group, echoed the call for their release.

A witness recounted that four armed men forced both men into a vehicle and sped away, leaving them unreachable by phone. Videos from the campaign event show Njagi actively participating alongside Bobi Wine.

This incident is reflective of a troubling trend of government crackdowns on dissent across the region. Njagi himself has faced abduction in the past under similar circumstances in Kenya.

In recent times, collaborations among East African governments to silence dissent have raised alarm, prompting widespread condemnation of such practices.