KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan opposition leader and popular singer Bobi Wine has alleged that the 39-day detention of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo was conducted under orders linked to the Ugandan Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also President Yoweri Museveni’s son.
The activists, who went missing on October 1, 2025, were reportedly released at the Kenya–Uganda border after being held incommunicado and subjected to severe mistreatment.
Allegations of military abduction and torture
According to a post made by Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi) on his X account, the two colleagues from the Free Kenya Movement were abducted during his National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential campaign events in Jinja.
They were reportedly forced into a vehicle by four men and had their phones switched off.
Bobi Wine stated that the activists were subjected to torture and intense interrogation regarding their activities in Uganda:
“I have just spoken to them and they have told me that they were being held by Museveni’s son at Kasenyi Military Barracks! They were being interrogated about why they came to Uganda and attended our manifesto launch in Jinja!,” Bobi Wine stated.
He further criticized Uganda’s judiciary for dismissing a habeas corpus application filed on the activists’ behalf, accusing it of enabling the abuse:
“You can imagine after 39 days! The judiciary came out boldly and justified this criminality, instead of pushing the criminal regime to produce them.”
Diplomatic frustration and regional warning
The disappearance of the activists prompted diplomatic intervention from the Kenyan government, which initially met with frustrating silence from their Ugandan counterparts.
Also Read: ‘I didn’t eat for 14 days’: Kenyan activists recount torture in secret Ugandan military detention
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, expressed his frustration in a letter to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Odongo Abubakhar:
“It is with profound concern that I note nearly a month has elapsed since our initial communication and the government of the Republic of Kenya is yet to receive a formal response from the government of the Republic of Uganda regarding the whereabouts and well-being of our nationals in question,” stated Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi in a letter to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Odongo Abubakhar, expressing his frustration over the silence surrounding efforts to trace the activists.
Bobi Wine warned that Uganda’s repressive political climate is spreading across borders:
“Like we have said many times, Uganda is under a complete military dictatorship. No wonder this dictatorship is being transplanted in other countries of the region. We all have a duty to FREE UGANDA from this despot and the rest of East Africa will be free.”
Release and return home
After persistent efforts by the Kenyan government and human rights groups, the Ugandan authorities released the duo late on Friday night, November 7.
They were received at the border by the Busia County Commissioner.
The activists subsequently recorded statements and were transported to Kisumu, where arrangements were made for them to fly to Nairobi for an emotional reunion with their families.
