Kenya-based Activists Allegedly Kidnapped in Uganda, Opposition Leader Claims

Two Kenyan rights defenders have reportedly gone missing in the neighboring nation after an apparent kidnapping by armed men while attending opposition leader Bobi Wine's campaign event.

Bobi Wine strongly condemned the kidnapping of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, stating they were picked up mafia-style at a fuel station and transported to an undisclosed location.

Police representative the official told media outlets he was uninformed of the incident. Authorities in Uganda have been contacted for comment.

Bobi Wine, a pop star whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, is campaigning for the presidential office in upcoming polls, challenging the incumbent leader, eighty, who has held power since 1986.

Bobi Wine said the two Kenyans were being singled out by the authorities for associating with him.

"We denounce the continuing lawlessness by the current administration and insist that these individuals are released unconditionally! The criminal regime apparently abducted them only for supporting me and expressing solidarity with our cause!" he posted on social media.

Kenyan rights group the advocacy group has also criticized the alleged kidnappings and demanded their immediate freedom.

A colleague who observed the events on midweek said that four armed men compelled the pair into a car and sped off.

"Several individuals were involved. There was also a lady who was in the front seat; they took the activists, who is the leading official of the Free Kenya Movement," the observer, who wanted to remain anonymous for security reasons, told local media.

He said both were unreachable on their phones and their whereabouts were unknown.

Videos circulated online show the activist involved in the opposition leader's campaign, and can be seen on stage beside the opposition leader.

The activists had allegedly journeyed to Uganda on the start of the week with some Ugandans before joining with the electoral efforts.

The activist was also picked up in Kenya last year by unidentified individuals during a wave of abductions believed to have been aimed at government critics in the nation.

He remained missing for several weeks before resurfacing, after a court ordered police to produce him. He later described the harrowing conditions in detention – isolated and denied food for most of the days.

Their recent incidents mirror past incidents involving political figures and activists across the East African region.

Earlier this year, rights defender the advocate and his Ugandan counterpart the activist were detained in the neighboring country and held without contact for days before being left at their respective national borders.

They later stated being subjected to abuse, including sexual torture at the hands of the local officials – allegations which authorities rejected as "unverified information".

Previously, another Uganda opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, went missing in the capital only to surface four days later in a military court in Uganda, where he faces serious allegations.

The incidents have since provoked widespread condemnation and concerns that East African governments could be working together to contain opposition.