Two Kenyan human rights activists, Bob Njagi and Nick Oyoo, have returned to Kenya after being detained for 39 days in Uganda, where they allege they were subjected to mistreatment. The activists were arrested while attending an event for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. Their disappearance sparked international concern, with calls for their release from various human rights organizations.
Njagi and Oyoo were reportedly detained secretly in Uganda without official charges, and their families were not immediately informed of their whereabouts. The two activists allege they were mistreated during their time in detention, though specific details of the alleged abuse have not been publicly disclosed.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni responded to the activists’ detention by claiming that Njagi and Oyoo were involved in “training youth to riot” and that their actions posed a threat to the country’s security. This allegation has been widely disputed by human rights groups, who have condemned the detention as a violation of the activists’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression.
The activists were finally released and allowed to return to Kenya on November 9, 2025, after prolonged international pressure on the Ugandan government. Upon their return, both men spoke out about their experiences, alleging that they were detained without due process and subjected to conditions that violated their human rights.
The Kenyan government has expressed concern over the incident, with calls for further investigation into the mistreatment of their citizens in Uganda. Both Njagi and Oyoo have vowed to continue their human rights work, despite the trauma of their detention.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in Uganda regarding the government’s treatment of opposition figures and human rights activists. The Ugandan government’s actions have been heavily criticized both domestically and internationally for their crackdown on dissent, particularly against those who challenge President Museveni’s long-standing rule.
