Kenyan Activists Vanish in Kampala

Two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, affiliated with the Free Kenya Movement, were reportedly abducted in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, October 1, at approximately 3:00 PM EAT. The incident occurred at a petrol station in Kireka, just outside Kampala, shortly after they participated in a campaign rally for Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

Eyewitnesses reported that four armed individuals in a grey van seized Njagi and Oyoo, forcing them into the vehicle before speeding off. Their phones were immediately switched off, and their current location is unknown. A third person travelling with them was briefly detained but later released.

Context of the Abduction

Njagi, chairman of the Free Kenya Movement, and Oyoo, the group's secretary-general, had travelled to Uganda on Monday, September 29, to show solidarity with Bobi Wine's campaign. They were seen accompanying Wine and other National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders at rallies in Buyende and Kamuli districts on Tuesday, September 30.

Bobi Wine's NUP has strongly condemned the abduction, describing it as a "mafia-style" operation and demanding the unconditional release of the activists. Vocal Africa, a Nairobi-based civic rights organisation, also confirmed the abduction and called for their immediate release.

Stakeholder Reactions and Implications

Kenyan leaders have expressed alarm over the incident. Nyamira County Senator Okong'o Mogeni demanded urgent answers from Ugandan authorities, while also cautioning activists about the risks involved in confronting authoritarian regimes.

This incident adds to a series of abductions targeting activists in the East African region. Earlier this year, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan activist Agather Atuhaire were reportedly arrested in Tanzania, detained, and later abandoned near the border. Njagi himself was reported missing for over a month in 2023 after being picked up during anti-government protests in Kenya.

Evidence and Data

• Date of Abduction: Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
• Time of Abduction: Approximately 3:00 PM EAT.
• Location of Abduction: Petrol station in Kireka, Kampala, Uganda.
• Activists Abducted: Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo of the Free Kenya Movement.
• Opposition Leader: Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), National Unity Platform (NUP).
• Mode of Abduction: Seized by four armed individuals in a grey van.
• Previous Travel: Departed Kenya on Monday, September 29, 2025.

Risks and Implications

The alleged abduction highlights concerns about shrinking democratic space and the safety of human rights defenders in the region, particularly as Uganda approaches its 2026 presidential election. Such incidents can deter civic engagement and freedom of expression, potentially impacting regional diplomatic relations and human rights advocacy.

Unknowns

The specific individuals or entities responsible for the abduction have not been officially identified. The precise whereabouts and condition of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo remain unknown. Neither the Ugandan nor the Kenyan government has issued an official statement regarding the activists' whereabouts as of October 2, 2025.

What to Watch

Further developments are expected regarding official statements from the Kenyan and Ugandan governments, as well as continued advocacy from human rights organisations for the activists' release. The international community's response to this incident will also be crucial.