Ugandan President Confirms Detention of Kenyan Activists, Warns Others

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has confirmed that two missing Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were arrested and held by Ugandan security agents.

The activists had been missing for over five weeks, raising concern among human rights groups and political observers across East Africa.

The activists were last seen in October, reportedly forced into a vehicle by masked men after attending a rally in support of opposition leader Bobi Wine.

During a televised interview, Museveni admitted that the men were detained, describing them as “experts in riots” who were “put in the fridge for some days.”

He accused them of interfering in Uganda’s internal affairs and warned that foreign involvement in regional unrest would not be tolerated.

Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades and intends to contest next year’s election, said the activists were eventually released following appeals from Kenyan leaders.

Upon arrival in Nairobi, Njagi and Oyoo were welcomed by cheering supporters at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Njagi described their ordeal as terrifying, recalling that the 38 days in detention under military control felt life-threatening.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed that their release followed “sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda.”

Human rights group Vocal Africa praised the release as a victory for civic activism and regional solidarity, calling it a positive step toward upholding the human rights of East Africans within the East African Community.