Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has admitted that his government abducted two Kenyan activists and kept them in the 'fridge' for 38 days. Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released recently after enduring torture and starvation in a Ugandan military camp. Their release followed high-level negotiations, including intervention by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were abducted by Ugandan security officers near a petrol station close to Kampala and held at Kasenyi Military Barracks in Entebbe. They endured 38 days of detention, facing torture and starvation, with Njagi stating he refused food for 14 days. Uganda's government denied holding them, but on October 14, Kampala's High Court ordered their production 'dead or alive' within seven days, though the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) claimed no records were found.
They were released on the night of Friday, October 7, handed over to Kenya's ambassador to Uganda Joash Maangi, and escorted to the Busia border where they were received by Kenyan officials. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed they are free and back in Kenya. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi had written a formal letter on October 31, 2025, demanding explanations from Uganda's Foreign Affairs Minister General Jeje Odongo.
Hours after their release, Museveni spoke in an interview on UBC TV, praising Uganda's intelligence and saying the activists worked with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, as riot experts. 'We arrested two Kenyans; I do not remember their names. They were working with Kyagulanyi’s group; they are experts in riots. Of course, with our very good intelligence, we picked them up and they have been in the fridge for some days. Now, some Kenyan leaders rang me and said I should either put them in jail here or hand them back,' Museveni said.
Amnesty International stated the release followed negotiations, including a call from former President Uhuru Kenyatta to Museveni's son and UPDF Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton warned of ongoing human rights threats in Uganda and Tanzania, urging East Africans to unite for free elections. Upon arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the activists appeared frail and expressed relief at being home, while protesters outside chanted 'Shame on you Museveni'.