- Kenyan human rights activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo released after 39 days of disappearance in Uganda
- Their capture sparked regional protests, with civil society groups and diplomats pushing for their release
- The Kenyan government confirmed their safe return, with human rights groups calling for stricter protection of human rights in East African Community countries.
After disappearing for more than a month in the country Ugandahuman rights defenders Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have been found.
Source: Twitter
The two were kidnapped in early October while participating in the campaign activities of the presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, in Uganda.
Witnesses of the incident indicate that they were taken by armed men at a petrol station in Kampala shortly after attending one of Bobi Wine’s meetings.
Their disappearance caused great concern, leading to protest and diplomatic engagement from Kenyan civil society organizations such as Amnesty International Kenya and VOCAL Africa.
By early November, they had been missing for more than 30 days, with activists claiming they were being held in a Ugandan military base known for human rights abuses.
On Saturday morning, VOCAL Africa confirmed that Njagi and Oyoo had been found kiss.
They were released and handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, who arranged their trip to Busia, where County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga received them.
A photo was shared showing the two activists together with Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi.
VOCAL Africa thanked both governments for their role in ensuring the release of the activists.
“We welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi after 39 days of their enforced disappearance. We express our gratitude to the Kenyan and Ugandan governments at the highest level and the former president of Kenya for their cooperation towards their safe return. We thank their families, colleagues of the Free Kenya movement, human rights defenders, journalists, diplomats, and active citizens who have campaigned tirelessly during this time,” VOCAL Africa said in a statement.
The Secretary General of Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei recognized the efforts of the Kenyan diplomatic mission in Kampala.
“We are very grateful for the efforts of the different actors who made this result possible. We will provide more details later,” he said.
VOCAL Africa used the opportunity to defend the strong protection of human rights in East African countries.
Njagi and Oyoo are currently on their way to Nairobi, where they plan to share the details of their ordeal.
“This time may mark an important change towards defending the human rights of East Africans anywhere in the East African Community. We facilitate their transfer to Nairobi and will provide information on their arrival to family, friends, and comrades to meet them,” VOCAL Africa said.
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