MWE Correspondent
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has for the first time admitted that two Kenyan human rights activists who disappeared more than a month ago were being held by his country’s security forces.
The activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were detained on October 1, 2025, shortly after attending a political rally organized by opposition leader Bobi Wine in Kampala.
Speaking in an online press briefing on November 8, Museveni said the two men had been placed “in a freezer for a few days” for allegedly working with groups that were planning street protests. He, however, did not explain why they were kept in custody for 38 days before being released on November 7.
For weeks, Ugandan authorities had denied any knowledge of the activists’ whereabouts, sparking outrage from human-rights organisations and prompting diplomatic efforts between Kenya and Uganda. Their disappearance led to widespread concern among regional observers who accused security agencies of engaging in extrajudicial detentions aimed at silencing critics.
Njagi and Oyoo’s safe return to Nairobi brought relief to their families and advocacy networks. Upon arriving home, Njagi described their ordeal as “a nightmare we thought we would never survive.” He claimed that they were held in a military facility, subjected to harsh interrogations, and denied contact with lawyers or family members. “We didn’t think we would ever see daylight again,” he said.
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Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi confirmed their relee asand praised diplomatic engagement between the two nations for resolving the matter peacefully. “This was a sensitive situation, but through quiet diplomacy and mutual understanding, we were able to bring our citizens home,” he told reporters in Nairobi.
International rights organisations such as Amnesty International welcomed their release but urged both countries to ensure greater accountability for security forces accused of unlawful detentions. Vocal Africa and the Law Society of Kenya also issued statements condemning the abductions and calling for stronger cross-border protections for activists.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine said the arrests reflect Uganda’s ongoing struggle with political freedom. “When citizens are arrested simply for attending a political event, it shows that our democracy is still under siege,” he remarked.
The case highlights growing concern about the shrinking civic space in East Africa, where governments are increasingly accused of using security justifications to stifle dissent. Analysts warn that such incidents could strain bilateral relations and erode regional trust at a time when cooperation is urgently needed to address shared challenges.
