Two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were on Wednesday, October 1, allegedly abducted in Kampala, Uganda, by armed men believed to be security officials.
The abduction took place as they accompanied the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in campaigns ahead of Uganda’s 2026 presidential elections.
According to media reports, the two activists had left Kenya on Monday, September 29, traveling by road alongside two Ugandans.
Upon arrival in Kampala, their Ugandan companions went home, leaving Njagi and Oyoo to link up with the opposition leader's campaign team.
On Tuesday, September 30, Njagi and Oyoo were seen accompanying Wine and other NUP leaders as they campaigned across Buyende and Kamuli districts.
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However, their journey turned tragic when they stopped at a petrol station to repair their car.
It was there, according to accounts from witnesses, that four armed men ambushed them.
Eyewitnesses say the two were forced into a waiting vehicle as their friend narrowly escaped the ordeal.
Within moments, the abductors sped off, and Njagi and Oyoo’s phones were immediately switched off, raising fears that the incident was politically motivated due to their support for Wine.
In a statement, VOCAL Africa condemned the abduction, calling for swift action to secure the activists’ release.
"Reports confirm that activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo of the Free Kenya Movement were abducted in Kampala, Uganda, while attending opposition leader Bobi Wine’s campaign.
"They were reportedly taken from a fuel station. VOCAL Africa strongly condemns the abduction and demands their immediate and unconditional release," the statement read.
This comes months after activist Boniface Mwangi resurfaced in Ukunda, Kwale County, after being deported from Tanzania, where he had been detained under unclear circumstances.
The activist was reportedly deported from Tanzania by road and abandoned at the coastal town of Ukunda early Thursday morning, May 22.
The development was confirmed by a spokesperson from the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, but offered no further details.
Following his return, Mwangi was immediately taken to a hospital for a medical check-up, according to his family.
Mwangi was among activists who had travelled to Tanzania to observe court proceedings of Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who is charged with treason.
Earlier on Monday, May 19, he claimed that his life was in danger after unidentified armed men showed up outside his hotel room in Dar es Salaam.
In a series of social media posts, Mwangi said that the men refused to identify themselves despite claiming to be law enforcement officers.
"My life is in danger. I'm at Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, and there are armed men in civilian clothes outside my room. They claim they are police officers, but they have refused to identify themselves. They will have to break the door to remove me here. I'm not going to open it," he said.
Mwangi expressed fear for his life, citing the deteriorating human rights situation in Tanzania under President Samia Suluhu’s administration.
"I'm scared for my life because there is a lot of abduction in this country; a lot of executions, and people are in jail for resisting President Samia Suluhu's dictatorship. That's why I can't open this door," he added.
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