By Mustafa Juma
Thursday October 2, 2025
Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo (in stripped shirt). PHOTO/@HEBobiwine/X
Tension is mounting in Uganda after two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were abducted in Kampala by armed operatives on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
The incident, which occurred at a petrol station in Kireka, has sparked outrage among human rights defenders and opposition leaders.
Ugandan opposition politician and presidential hopeful Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine claimed responsibility for exposing the incident, saying the activists were targeted for their association with him and for showing solidarity with his political movement.
According to Bobi Wine, the pair was bundled into a vehicle “mafia-style” and driven to an undisclosed location, with their whereabouts still unknown.
“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!” Bobi Wine stated.
Before this, Bob Njagi had spoken about his 2024 abduction ordeal.
Ugandan govt fingeredThe opposition figure accused Ugandan security agencies of operating outside the law, describing the incident as part of a pattern of intimidation targeting his supporters.
The duo had travelled to Uganda to join Bobi Wine on his campaign trail on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
“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!” he stated.
The fate and whereabouts of Njagi and Ayoo remain unclear, with human rights groups and political activists in Uganda and Kenya now demanding their immediate release.
The incident comes a year after Bob Njagi and Aslam Longton were abducted on August 19, 2024, and forcibly held incommunicado for 32 days following their participation in multiple demonstrations against economic policies that we believed would further burden Kenyans.
Bob Njagi’s abduction in Kenya
After their release, they narrated that they had been subjected to torture by security agents for what they termed as advocating progressive economic reforms and better governance.
“We, Bob Njagi and Aslam Longton, were abducted on August 19, 2024, and forcibly held incommunicado for 32 days following our participation in multiple demonstrations against economic policies that we believed would further burden Kenyans. Jamil Longton was forcefully disappeared as he prevented the capture of his brother, Aslam,” they said in a joint statement.
“During our captivity, we were subjected to torture by security agents simply for advocating progressive economic reforms and better governance. Although we were released on September 20, 2024, we have since lived in constant fear of further enforced disappearances and persecution by the state.”