After five weeks of uncertainty, two Kenyan activists who went missing in Uganda have been confirmed safe, bringing relief to human rights advocates but underscoring persistent concerns about political freedoms in the region. Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were forcibly taken by masked men after supporting Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine, and their safe return marks a significant moment for cross-border advocacy efforts.
The activists’ disappearance began when eyewitnesses reported seeing them being bundled into a car by individuals in uniform following a political event in Uganda. This incident occurred five weeks prior, sparking fears for their safety and leading to widespread calls for their release from human rights organizations across East Africa. The abduction highlighted the risks faced by those associated with opposition movements in the region.
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, the activist group Vocal Africa announced that Njagi and Oyoo were safe and being transported from Busia in Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya. The organization emphasized the importance of this development for upholding human rights within the East African Community, urging governments to protect citizens regardless of borders. This confirmation came after weeks of intense lobbying and international pressure.
Ugandan authorities had previously denied holding the men in custody, despite allegations from Kenyan rights groups and Bobi Wine himself, who accused the government of targeting the activists for their political affiliations. In a joint statement, Vocal Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, and Amnesty International expressed gratitude to the Kenyan and Ugandan governments, activists, journalists, and diplomats for their roles in securing the release, acknowledging the collective effort required.
The context of their abduction is deeply tied to Uganda’s political landscape, where Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician, is challenging President Yoweri Museveni in upcoming elections. Museveni, who has held power since 1986, faces accusations of using security forces to intimidate opponents, with similar incidents of disappearances reported in the past. This pattern raises questions about the state’s commitment to democratic principles.
Njagi’s experience is particularly poignant, as he was previously abducted in Kenya last year during a wave of abductions targeting government critics. He resurfaced after a court order and later described harrowing conditions in captivity, including isolation and denial of food. Such cases illustrate a broader trend of extrajudicial actions against dissenters in East Africa, eroding trust in legal systems.
Beyond Uganda, similar incidents have occurred in Tanzania and other neighboring countries, where activists like Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire were detained and mistreated before being abandoned at their respective national borders. These events have fueled concerns that East African governments may be collaborating to suppress opposition, leading to condemnation from international human rights bodies and calls for accountability.
As Njagi and Oyoo return to Kenya, their ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles for human rights and democratic space in East Africa. While their safe return is a victory for advocacy, it underscores the need for stronger protections and regional cooperation to prevent such abuses in the future, ensuring that activists can operate without fear of reprisal.
