Two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, have been released from detention in Uganda after being held for over a month. The arrests occurred on October 1, shortly after the activists attended a rally organized by Bobi Wine, President Yoweri Museveni’s most prominent political challenger. Museveni accused the duo of collaborating with the opposition to destabilize his government ahead of the January general election. Initially, the Ugandan government denied any involvement in the arrests. However, after weeks of diplomatic negotiations led by Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, the activists were released to the Kenyan ambassador. The pair returned to Kenya on Saturday, alleging they were detained in a military facility under “inhumane conditions” guarded by Ugandan special forces. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 and is seeking a seventh term, warned that any attempts to protest in Uganda would “end up badly,” referencing the deadly November 2020 protests following Bobi Wine’s arrest. He also stated that Kenyan officials had requested the activists’ release or prosecution. Museveni’s critics accuse him of authoritarianism, citing his suppression of opposition voices within and outside his National Resistance Movement party.
Kenyan activists released from Ugandan detention after Museveni confirms arrest
