By The Weekly Vision Reporter
Ugandan authorities have finally released Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, 38 days after they were abducted while campaigning for opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine in Buyende and Kamuli districts. The two were handed over to the Kenyan High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, in Kampala on the night of Friday, 7th November, in an exercise coordinated with local authorities and humanitarian organisations.
They were later escorted to Busia town by Maangi and officials of the Ugandan government, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga. “Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi,” Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei posted on X.
“They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Ugandan government to Busia border town and were received by Busia County Commissioner, Chaunga Mwachaunga. We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the various actors who made this outcome possible. A more detailed account will be released later.”
Following their disappearance, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi wrote to the Ugandan government seeking information about their whereabouts, but received no response.
“This communication follows up on the note verbale dated 3rd October 2025. It also follows additional engagements by our ambassador in Kampala and phone calls between our principal and permanent secretaries,” he wrote.
Various human rights groups also pressured President Yoweri Museveni to release the duo. On 21st October, Amnesty International Kenya launched an online petition urging Museveni to immediately disclose the activists’ whereabouts, ensure their safety and well-being, guarantee their right to legal representation and communication with their families, investigate the circumstances of their abduction, hold those responsible accountable, and uphold their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly—rights protected under Ugandan, East African, and international human rights law.
Although evidence suggested they were being held at a military camp, the Ugandan government denied custody.
Despite a Kampala court issuing a habeas corpus order, the authorities failed to produce them, leading the court to declare them missing persons.
Lawyers Eron Kiiza and Kato Tumusiime had filed the application before the High Court of Uganda on 6th October, seeking to compel the Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of Uganda to unconditionally and immediately release Njagi and Oyoo.
At a hearing on 14th October, Ugandan authorities denied holding the activists. Justice Peter Kinobe ordered the government to produce Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, dead or alive, within seven days. At a second hearing on 21st October, they were still not presented before the court.
