Kenyan Activists Seized by Ugandan Forces After Attending Bobi Wine Rally

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 reggae musician turned politician Bobi Wine. According to eyewitnesses, Bob Njagi, chair of Free Kenya, and Nicholas Oyoo, the movement's secretary general, were taken into custody while traveling with other Kenyan activists who had crossed the border to support Wine's campaign in Uganda. The activists had reportedly arrived in Uganda on Monday to attend Wine's rallies in the eastern region. "We were just leaving a rally when we saw them being detained," said one activist, who wished to remain anonymous. "We didn't know what was happening at first, but then we realized they were taking our friends away." Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, leads Uganda's National Unity Platform party and has been a vocal critic of the country's long-serving president, Yoweri Museveni. Wine's campaign has gained significant momentum in recent weeks, with thousands of supporters attending his rallies across the country. The abduction of the Kenyan activists has sparked concerns about the safety of opposition supporters in Uganda. "This is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence us," said Njagi in an interview before his detention. "We will not be deterred from supporting Bobi Wine's campaign for change." Free Kenya, the movement led by Njagi, has been critical of Museveni's government and has called for reforms to address issues such as corruption and human rights abuses. The Ugandan government has denied any involvement in the abduction, with a spokesperson stating that the security operatives were acting on "intelligence" to prevent "unlawful activities." The incident highlights the risks faced by opposition supporters in Uganda, where the government has been accused of using heavy-handed tactics to suppress dissent. Wine's campaign has been marked by violent crackdowns and arrests of his supporters. As the Ugandan presidential election approaches, concerns are growing about the safety of opposition candidates and their supporters. The abduction of the Kenyan activists is seen as a worrying development in an already tense electoral environment. The current status of Njagi and Oyoo is unknown, with reports suggesting they may be held at an undisclosed location. Their detention has sparked outrage among opposition supporters, who are calling for their release and an investigation into the incident. In response to the abduction, Wine's campaign team has vowed to continue supporting his presidential bid, despite the risks. "We will not be intimidated by these tactics," said a spokesperson for Wine's campaign. "Our message of change and reform remains strong, and we will continue to fight for it." *Reporting by Theguardian.*