Museveni Confirms Arrest of Kenyan Activists in Uganda

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed the arrest of two Kenyan activists, who had been detained in Uganda for 38 days. Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo had travelled to Kampala to support opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, when they went missing on October 1, 2025. Reports indicated that the two Kenyan nationals were abducted by armed men in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda. The two were later freed on Saturday, November 8, and handed over to the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs minister Musalia Mudavadi said the release followed a “sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda” where “both governments maintained open and constructive communication that has culminated in the safe release of our nationals.” In a radio talk show on Saturday evening, Museveni confirmed that Njagi and Oyoo were in the custody of Ugandan security forces. He accused the activists of working with his opponent Bobi Wine to cause riots in the neighbouring country. “Here we have very good intelligence…we know them. We have got two Kenyans whom we arrested. They have been with us, I have their names…But I don’t remember them. They came, and they were working with Kyagulanyi’s group. They are experts in riots,” said Museveni. Museveni further claimed that foreigners are worried about Uganda’s progress and seek to control its natural resources. “They are worried about Uganda. Uganda is moving, very strong…industries growing. We don’t lack anything, we have all the food, all the raw materials, industrial products…we are now going to get our oil, so they are very worried,” said Museveni. After their release from captivity, Njagi and Oyoo said they endured torture and starvation 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,” said Bob Njagi on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. This is despite the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) refuting on October 22 claims that it was holding the two Kenyans. In an affidavit, Col. Silas Kamanda, a Director at the Joint Staff Legal Services, said that rigorous investigations have established that the two activists were not in the army's custody.