Two Kenyan human rights activists who were reported missing in Uganda have been freed following intense diplomatic negotiations between Kampala and Nairobi. The pair, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were released on Friday night and safely returned to Kenya, according to official statements from both governments.
Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’Oei, confirmed that the activists were handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi, after “lengthy engagements” between the two nations. “Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and back on Kenyan territory,” Sing’Oei posted on X, adding that the duo was escorted by Ugandan officials to the Busia border, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chauunga Mwachaunga.
Diplomatic Resolution Ends Tense Cross-Border Standoff
The Kenyan activists’ release followed weeks of speculation and legal pressure after reports claimed they had been detained by state operatives in Kireka, Kampala. Their lawyers had filed a habeas corpus application before Uganda’s High Court, seeking to compel authorities to produce them in court. Justice Simon Peter Kinobe later declared them missing persons, advising the legal team to file a police report to assist in investigations.
Ugandan security agencies, including the army and police, had denied knowledge of the activists’ detention. The matter prompted high-level engagement between Kenya’s diplomatic mission in Kampala and Uganda’s government, leading to a peaceful resolution that officials say reflects strong regional cooperation.
Mixed Reactions in Kenya and Uganda
The release of the Kenyan activists drew mixed reactions online. Supporters praised the government for defending citizens abroad, calling it a win for regional diplomacy. Others, however, warned against using foreign territories for political activism, arguing that such actions risk straining bilateral relations.
Ugandan officials did not immediately comment on the conditions of their release, though sources close to the negotiations described the move as part of a broader effort to de-escalate regional tension ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
The incident had drawn attention after opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) accused Ugandan authorities of abducting the activists for associating with his political movement. Their freedom now signals a diplomatic reset, reinforcing the importance of dialogue in managing political and human rights disputes within the East African Community.