The Abduction and Ordeal. On October 1, 2025, Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were abducted in Kampala, Uganda, after attending a political rally for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. Their vehicle broke down at a petrol station, where seven armed men—some in military uniform and others in plain clothes—seized them forcibly. Held incommunicado for 38 harrowing days, the activists were detained at a military facility run by a militia called “Next to None,” allegedly commanded by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
Conditions and Torture
Njagi and Oyoo disclosed in Nairobi that they were handcuffed almost constantly, fed meager rations of porridge and ugali with beans, and endured cold floors with minimal rest while gunfire and military drills echoed around them. Oyoo was taken to a military clinic due to deteriorating health. They witnessed brutal treatment of other detainees, including reports of teeth being forcibly removed. They described the detention center—referred to as “the fridge”—as holding at least 150 people without trial, many detained for political reasons. Sources indicate Ugandan and Kenyan agents allegedly collaborated in targeting political activists linked to Gen Z protest movements.
Legal and Diplomatic Response
Ugandan lawyers filed a habeas corpus petition demanding the immediate release of Njagi and Oyoo, naming senior security officials, including General Muhoozi. However, Uganda’s military initially denied their detention. Diplomatic engagement led to their release and handover to Kenyan authorities on November 7, 2025. Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, confirmed “open and constructive” talks between the nations.
Aftermath and Broader Implications
The activists condemned their detention as a crime against humanity and highlighted ongoing abuses in Ugandan political detention facilities. Opposition leader Bobi Wine decried the arrest as part of a larger crackdown on dissent in Uganda. Civil society groups in both countries raised alarm over cross-border repression, military detention of civilians, and shrinking democratic space in East Africa.
Timeline and Key Developments
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2025 | Njagi and Oyoo abducted in Kampala after Bobi Wine rally | “Seven armed men… forcibly detained us.” |
| Oct 2 – Nov 7, 2025 | Detention in Uganda’s “fridge” military facility | “Handcuffed constantly… meager food… brutal treatment.” |
| Nov 1, 2025 | Ugandan lawyers file habeas corpus petition | Case names General Muhoozi and calls for immediate release. |
| Nov 7, 2025 | Release and transfer to Kenyan authorities | Confirmed by Kenya’s CS Musalia Mudavadi. |
| Nov 12, 2025 | Press briefing in Nairobi recounting ordeal | “Crime against humanity” — Bob Njagi. |
| Nov 13, 2025 | Public and civil society outcry over cross-border repression | Calls for regional human rights protections. |
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