KAMPALA. Two Kenyan human rights activists who had been reported missing in Uganda have been freed and safely returned home.
This publication has learnt that their release followed diplomatic negotiations between the two governments.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, confirmed that Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released late Friday night and handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi, after “lengthy engagements.”
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory,” Sing’Oei said on X.
“They were escorted by the Ambassador and officials of the Uganda government to the Busia border Town and were received by Busia County Commissioner Chauunga Mwachaunga.”
He thanked both governments for their cooperation, saying a detailed report on the negotiations would be released later.
The two activists were earlier the subject of a habeas corpus application before Uganda’s High Court after reports emerged that they had been arrested by state operatives in Kireka, Kampala.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe later ruled that they were to be treated as missing persons, advising their lawyers to file a police report to facilitate investigations. Uganda’s security agencies, including the army and police, denied holding them in custody.
Kenyan officials provide money to the released activists Bob Nyagi and Nicholas Ayoo
Their release comes weeks after Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Kampala engaged Ugandan authorities on the matter, signaling close regional cooperation between the neighbouring states.
Reactions in Kenya were mixed. Some citizens on X praised the government for securing the activists’ release, with one user writing that the move “reaffirms the importance of regional cooperation and diplomacy in protecting our citizens.”
Others, however, criticized the activists’ actions, warning against using political activism abroad to “toy with the lives of citizens.”
Ugandan officials did not immediately comment on the circumstances of the release.
However, the move is expected to ease tensions after opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) had accused Kampala authorities of abducting the two Kenyans for associating with his party activities.
After the two activists release Kyagulanyi went to his X and said;” after 39 days under incommunicado detention and torture, our Kenyan brothers Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have been dumped at the Kenya – Uganda border at Busia border by the Museveni regime. They’re now headed back to Nairobi. I have just spoken to them and they have told me that they were being held by Museveni’s son at Kasenyi military barracks!”
“They were being interrogated about why they came to Uganda and attended our manifesto launch in Jinja! You can imagine after 39 days! The judiciary came out boldly and justified this criminality, instead of pushing the criminal regime to produce them. Like we have said many times, Uganda is under a complete military dictatorship. No wonder, this dictatorship is being transplanted in other countries of the region. We all have a duty to FREE UGANDA from this despot and the rest of East Africa will be free.” he added