Written By Faith Mwende
Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have been freed by Ugandan authorities, 38 days after they went missing under unclear circumstances. The two were handed over to the Kenyan Embassy in Kampala following efforts coordinated between local authorities and humanitarian organizations.
They were received at about 1:00 AM by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga and other officials after crossing into Kenya. The activists recorded statements before being taken to Kisumu, where travel arrangements to Nairobi are underway.
Both Njagi and Oyoo were said to be in stable health, though visibly weak. They have since reached out to their families through Vocal Africa and Amnesty International, who were key in pushing for their release and ensuring their safety.
Confirming the news, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said the activists were now back on Kenyan territory.
“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,” he posted on X.
“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.”
Their release follows continued pressure from human rights groups and the Kenyan government, who had been demanding answers from Uganda over the activists’ disappearance.
Njagi and Oyoo were reported missing on October 1, 2025, while in Uganda, shortly after being linked to Bobi Wine’s campaign activities in the Buyende and Kamuli districts.
In the weeks that followed, Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi wrote several times to his Ugandan counterpart seeking clarification on their whereabouts.
“This communication follows up on the note verbale dated October 3, 2025. It also follows additional engagements by our ambassador in Kampala and phone calls between our principal/permanent secretaries,” Mudavadi wrote.
“It is with profound concern that I note nearly a month has elapsed since our initial communication and the government of the Republic of Kenya is yet to receive a formal response from the government of the Republic of Uganda regarding the whereabouts and well-being of our nationals in question.”
His correspondence came after a Ugandan High Court dismissed a habeas corpus application seeking the production of the two activists, who were alleged to have been held in military custody after participating in campaign activities for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.
