Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive programme on Wednesday night, Njagi, alongside fellow activist Nicholas Oyoo, recounted chilling experiences from their 38-day detention in Uganda.
The pair alleged that they were held in a heavily guarded “safe house” operated by Uganda’s military intelligence after crossing the border in September 2024.
Njagi told the show’s host that during captivity, several Ugandan soldiers privately admitted to him that they had been sent to Kenya the previous year to help quell the wave of anti-government demonstrations that swept through Nairobi and other major towns.
“One shocking revelation is that when we got there in the first week, some soldiers revealed to me that they participated in the Gen Z protests in Kenya,” he said.
Njagi told the show’s host that during captivity, several Ugandan soldiers privately admitted to him that they had been sent to Kenya the previous year to help quell the wave of anti-government demonstrations that swept through Nairobi and other major towns.
“One shocking revelation is that when we got there in the first week, some soldiers revealed to me that they participated in the Gen Z protests in Kenya,” he said.
“They were actually moved from Uganda, dressed in Kenyan police uniforms, to help suppress the riots. This shows collaboration between states—what happens in Kenya resonates in Uganda and Tanzania.”
Njagi and Oyoo said they were transported blindfolded to a secluded compound outside Kampala, which they later learned was a Special Forces Command training camp responsible for protecting
According to the activists, the facility doubled as a detention and interrogation centre for political prisoners.
Njagi and Oyoo said they were transported blindfolded to a secluded compound outside Kampala, which they later learned was a Special Forces Command training camp responsible for protecting
According to the activists, the facility doubled as a detention and interrogation centre for political prisoners.
Oyoo described repeated sessions of brutal questioning designed to extract information about Kenyan youth movements and their alleged links to regional networks.
“On the second day, they interrogated us while holding our phones,” Oyoo recalled.
“On the second day, they interrogated us while holding our phones,” Oyoo recalled.
“They asked very specific questions about the WhatsApp and Telegram groups we belonged to. When they felt we weren’t giving the answers they wanted, they started caning and punching us.”
He said he was caned twice and kept hand-cuffed to a chair during the sessions.
He said he was caned twice and kept hand-cuffed to a chair during the sessions.
“They were trying to push a narrative that we were coordinating something against the government,” he added.
Njagi claimed the Ugandan security services acted on false intelligence suggesting that he and Oyoo had travelled to Uganda to mobilise youth uprisings across East Africa.
“They were totally misinformed,” he said.
Njagi claimed the Ugandan security services acted on false intelligence suggesting that he and Oyoo had travelled to Uganda to mobilise youth uprisings across East Africa.
“They were totally misinformed,” he said.
“They had 38 days to investigate but never took us to court or charged us with any offence.”
The two activists were released in October 2024 following diplomatic interventions by Kenyan human-rights organisations and regional mediators.
The two activists were released in October 2024 following diplomatic interventions by Kenyan human-rights organisations and regional mediators.
Njagi said they continue to demand accountability for their treatment and for the alleged illegal deployment of Ugandan personnel in Kenya.
Njagi urged the Ugandan government to release what he termed “scores of political detainees,” naming opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and Amos Rwangomani, the brother of Uganda’s Internal Affairs Minister, as among those still in custody. He claimed Rwangomani was his cellmate during detention.
Human-rights watchdogs in both countries have since called for independent investigations into the allegations. Neither the Kenyan Ministry of Interior nor Uganda’s Defence Forces had responded to the claims by the time of publication.
Regional observers note that Kenya’s 2024 protests—sparked by tax reforms and cost-of-living grievances—galvanised youth movements across East Africa, with parallel demonstrations briefly emerging in Kampala, Dar es Salaam, and Kigali.
Security analysts argue that any cross-border security collaboration must adhere to international law and respect national sovereignty.
“If proven true, such deployment would raise serious diplomatic and legal questions,” said one Nairobi-based governance expert, adding that the matter underscores “the shrinking democratic space across the region.”
The Gen Z protests of 2024 were characterised by mass demonstrations led largely by young Kenyans mobilising online.
Njagi urged the Ugandan government to release what he termed “scores of political detainees,” naming opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and Amos Rwangomani, the brother of Uganda’s Internal Affairs Minister, as among those still in custody. He claimed Rwangomani was his cellmate during detention.
Human-rights watchdogs in both countries have since called for independent investigations into the allegations. Neither the Kenyan Ministry of Interior nor Uganda’s Defence Forces had responded to the claims by the time of publication.
Regional observers note that Kenya’s 2024 protests—sparked by tax reforms and cost-of-living grievances—galvanised youth movements across East Africa, with parallel demonstrations briefly emerging in Kampala, Dar es Salaam, and Kigali.
Security analysts argue that any cross-border security collaboration must adhere to international law and respect national sovereignty.
“If proven true, such deployment would raise serious diplomatic and legal questions,” said one Nairobi-based governance expert, adding that the matter underscores “the shrinking democratic space across the region.”
The Gen Z protests of 2024 were characterised by mass demonstrations led largely by young Kenyans mobilising online.
The protests, which turned deadly in several towns, called for government accountability and reforms in taxation, employment, and governance.
Dozens were reported killed or injured, while hundreds were arrested. Rights groups accused the authorities of using excessive force, prompting international concern and calls for police reform.
Njagi’s latest revelations have reignited debate on the role of regional security cooperation and the boundaries of state power in quelling domestic dissent.
“The youth in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are fighting the same struggle for freedom and transparency,” Njagi concluded.
Dozens were reported killed or injured, while hundreds were arrested. Rights groups accused the authorities of using excessive force, prompting international concern and calls for police reform.
Njagi’s latest revelations have reignited debate on the role of regional security cooperation and the boundaries of state power in quelling domestic dissent.
“The youth in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are fighting the same struggle for freedom and transparency,” Njagi concluded.
“Our leaders should listen, not silence us.”
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