Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has publicly admitted that his government abducted and held two Kenyan activists. The admission came shortly after Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released from custody.

The President claimed the men were put "in the fridge" for some time. He made these striking remarks during an interview with UBC TV and on a radio talk show on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Mbale State Lodge.

 

Why They Were 'Put in the Fridge'

President Museveni explained that the detention was necessary due to the activists' alleged activities in Uganda. He praised the country’s intelligence system for monitoring the duo.

Museveni accused Njagi and Oyoo of acting as experts in riots.

"They came, and they were working with Kyagulanyi’s group. They are experts in riots,” said Museveni.

He confirmed that the two Kenyans were working with Uganda’s opposition leader, Robert Kyagulani, also known as Bobi Wine. The President warned that unruly acts would not be tolerated in Uganda.

He stated that Uganda’s "

very good intelligence" had picked them up.

"Of course, with our very good intelligence, we picked them up and they have been in the fridge for some days."

 

Background to the Abduction

Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo had travelled to Kampala to show support for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi. They went missing on October 1, 2025, after reportedly being abducted by armed men near Kampala.

Their detention lasted 38 days. During this time, both the Ugandan police and military consistently denied holding the two Kenyan nationals.

For instance, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) issued an affidavit denying custody of the men on October 22.

Diplomatic Push for Release

The activists’ release came only after a significant public outcry. Their freedom followed "sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda".

High-level negotiations were required to secure their repatriation. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei confirmed that the men were handed over to the Kenyan High Commissioner in Uganda.

Amnesty International noted that former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta intervened.

Jubilee’s Deputy Secretary General revealed that Mr Kenyatta had contacted Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is the Chief of Defence Forces of the UPDF, to secure the release.

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The activists were released on the night of Friday, October 7, and handed over at the Busia border crossing.

Activists Recall Torture

After their release, Njagi and Oyoo revealed the horrific conditions of their captivity. They reported that they had been held in military detention by the special forces.

The activists recounted enduring both torture and starvation.

“I didn’t eat for 14 days. We were tortured,” Bob Njagi stated upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Mr Njagi stated that they had been unsure if they would survive the ordeal. They confirmed they were held at the Kasenyi Military Barracks in Entebbe.