human rights activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo.{Courtesy]
By Njoroge David
After more than 38 days of uncertainty in Uganda, human rights activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have returned to Kenya, following sustained diplomatic efforts that secured their release.
This is despite Uganda previously denying that it held them.
The activists returned late Friday night, November 7, after being handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi, and escorted by Ugandan officials to the Busia border, where Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga received them.
The pair were in Uganda to monitor a campaign rally for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, when they were seized at a petrol station in Kireka, Wakiso District, on October 1.
Their phones were immediately switched off, prompting urgent concern from families, civil society groups and the Kenyan government.
Kenya launched a sustained diplomatic engagement to secure their release. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs sent repeated letters and made phone calls to Ugandan authorities requesting information on the activists’ whereabouts.
On October 31, Mudavadi personally wrote to Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, urging a transparent investigation and the safe return of the activists.
During the period they were missing, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Uganda Police Force denied holding the activists.
In an affidavit, Colonel Silas Kamanda of the UPDF said investigations of all detention facilities found no entries relating to Njagi and Oyoo. Uganda Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said he had “no information” that the men were in police custody.
A habeas corpus application filed in the Ugandan High Court on October 22 was dismissed for lack of evidence, officially classifying the activists as missing persons.
On Saturday, November 8, Mudavadi said: “The Government of Kenya welcomes the safe release of our two citizens, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who had been abducted by armed men around the Kireka area in Kampala,” adding that “following sustained diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda, including a formal letter I personally addressed to Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, both governments maintained open and constructive communication that has culminated in the safe release of our nationals.”
He also stated: “The Government of Kenya expresses its deep appreciation to the Government of Uganda for the cooperation extended throughout this process, and to our diplomatic team in Kampala for their vigilance, commitment and professionalism. The safety and well-being of Kenyan citizens abroad remain a non-negotiable priority for the Government of Kenya.”
Korir Sing’ Oei, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, also confirmed their release, saying, “Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory,” he said.
“Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi. They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Uganda government to Busia border town and were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga. Deeply grateful for the efforts by different actors who made this outcome possible. We shall be releasing a more detailed account later,” he added.
The Kenya High Commission in Kampala coordinated closely with Ugandan officials and leveraged the East African Community frameworks, which guarantee partner-state citizens the right to move, stay, and exit freely.
Continuous diplomatic engagement and joint mechanisms between the two governments maintained pressure on Ugandan authorities.
Civil society and professional bodies amplified the campaign with the Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International Kenya, Vocal Africa and other organisations organising protests, social media campaigns and legal advocacy to keep the case in public view.
Families staged demonstrations outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, maintaining momentum for action.
Faith Odhiambo of Vocal Africa said the release reflected the coordinated efforts of the Kenyan government, activists, human rights defenders and journalists.
“This moment signals an important shift towards upholding the human rights of East Africans anywhere within the East African Community,” she said.
Kenya expressed appreciation to Ugandan authorities for their cooperation and to its diplomatic team for vigilance and professionalism in ensuring the activists were safely reunited with their families.
