Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, has issued a strong warning to Kenyan citizens urging them to refrain from becoming involved in Uganda’s internal political affairs. Maangi’s comments come in the wake of the recent release of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, two Kenyan nationals who were detained in Uganda for over a month. The two men had been abducted while attending a political event for National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in Kaliro, eastern Uganda.
Maangi emphasized that involvement in foreign politics could jeopardize the safety of citizens and strain diplomatic relations between the neighboring countries. “Let Ugandans manage their own political affairs,” he stated, highlighting the importance of respecting Uganda’s sovereignty. He added that every country has the right to control its political landscape and that such interference could lead to unintended consequences.
The disappearance of Njagi and Oyoo sparked significant concern, both in Kenya and internationally. Initially, the Ugandan government denied holding the two men, but following diplomatic pressure from Kenya, it was revealed that they had been detained. According to Maangi, Kenyan officials in Kampala were unaware of the abduction until two days after the incident occurred. The families of the activists had reported the disappearance to Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which immediately alerted the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda.
“We received information that two Kenyans had gone missing about a month ago,” Maangi explained. “As per the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, we requested clarification from the Ugandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they promised to investigate. After further follow-up, we were relieved to hear that we could finally pick them up.”
After the two activists’ release, Maangi did not disclose the exact location where they were handed over or provide further details about the Ugandan officials involved. However, the Kenyan nationals were escorted to the Busia border, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga.
Eyewitnesses reported that Njagi and Oyoo were abducted on October 1, 2025, by masked men in uniform near Kireka, Kampala, shortly after attending the NUP event. President Yoweri Museveni later confirmed the men’s detention, labeling them as suspects involved in “training opposition supporters in riot tactics.” He also referred to their detention as a precautionary measure.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between Kenya and Uganda over political and human rights issues, particularly regarding the treatment of activists in Uganda. The Kenyan government has expressed concerns about the safety of its citizens in neighboring countries, urging them to avoid getting involved in controversial political activities that could lead to similar situations.
