Kenyan Activists Abducted After Joining Opposition Rally in Uganda
Two Kenyan activists were detained by heavily armed security operatives at a petrol station near Kampala on Wednesday afternoon, after attending a presidential campaign event for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.
According to eyewitnesses, Bob Njagi, chair of the Free Kenya movement, and Nicholas Oyoo, the group's secretary general, were taken into custody while refueling their vehicle. The activists had traveled from Kenya on Monday to support Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, at his campaign rallies in eastern Uganda.
In a video of an event on Tuesday, Njagi was seen on stage beside Wine, who leads the National Unity Platform party. "We are here to show our solidarity with Bobi Wine and the people of Uganda," Njagi said in an interview before the abduction. "We believe that his message of change and unity resonates with Kenyans as well."
Wine's campaign has been marked by controversy, with allegations of human rights abuses and suppression of opposition voices by Ugandan authorities. The musician-turned-politician has vowed to challenge President Yoweri Museveni in the upcoming presidential elections.
The abduction of the two activists has sparked concerns among human rights groups and opposition supporters in Kenya and Uganda. "This is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence those who are speaking out against the status quo," said Okiya Okwach, a Kenyan human rights activist. "We demand their immediate release and an investigation into these incidents."
Ugandan authorities have not commented on the abduction, but government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and "politically motivated." "The government is committed to ensuring security and stability in the country," he said.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of activists and opposition supporters in both Kenya and Uganda. As the presidential elections in Uganda approach, tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups are expected to escalate.
In a statement, Wine's campaign team condemned the abduction and called for the immediate release of the two activists. "We will not be intimidated by these actions," the statement read. "Our message of change and unity remains unwavering."
The current status of Njagi and Oyoo is unknown, but their families have expressed concern for their safety. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many calling for their release and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their abduction.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the presidential campaign in Uganda and the relationship between Kenya and Uganda.
*Reporting by Theguardian.*
