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Eleven days after their disappearance in Uganda, families and human rights advocates in Nairobi are intensifying calls for the safe return of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, raising concerns about cross-border abductions in East Africa.
Families and supporters of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo gathered for a solemn Sunday service at Jesus Christ Church in Ruiru, Nairobi, on Sunday, October 12, 2025, praying for their safe return. The two went missing in Uganda 11 days prior, sparking deep concern and urgent appeals for action from Kenyan authorities.
Julius Oyoo, Nicholas's brother, expressed a blend of faith and human appeal, stating, “Nothing is too difficult for God, and He will act on our behalf, but using human beings, and that is why we are requesting you to pray for us.” This sentiment underscores the growing desperation among families and civil society as diplomatic efforts continue.
Njagi and Oyoo were reportedly abducted on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in Kampala, Uganda, by unidentified armed men. They had been in Uganda to attend a political event organised by Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Eyewitness accounts suggest they were forcibly taken from a petrol station in Kireka, Kampala, where their vehicle had stopped for mechanical assistance. Their phones were switched off immediately after the incident, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
The Kenyan High Commission in Kampala has engaged diplomatically with Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, sending a diplomatic protest letter on Friday, October 3, 2025, and requesting assistance in locating the missing activists. Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda, Amb. Joash Maangi, met with Uganda's Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Vincent Waiswa, who reportedly assured that the Ugandan government is working swiftly to resolve the matter.
Despite diplomatic pressure and public outcry, the Ugandan government has denied involvement in the abduction. Uganda Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated on Monday, October 6, 2025, that the police had no information indicating the activists were in their custody and had not received any formal reports of their disappearance.
The disappearance has drawn condemnation from various human rights organisations, including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, who on Friday, October 10, 2025, called on Ugandan authorities to investigate and secure the activists' safe release. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Vocal Africa, and Amnesty International Kenya have also issued strong statements, highlighting a troubling pattern of abductions and enforced disappearances targeting activists across East Africa.
In Uganda, lawyers representing Njagi and Oyoo filed a habeas corpus application with the Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, seeking orders to compel authorities to produce the activists in court. The petition names Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, Inspector General of Police, and Attorney General as respondents. The High Court of Uganda has set Tuesday, October 14, 2025, as the hearing date for the application.
This incident is not isolated. Human rights groups note a disturbing trend of activists, opposition politicians, and journalists being abducted by security agents across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Bob Njagi himself was reportedly abducted in Kenya in August 2024 alongside two brothers, Aslam and Jamil Longton, and held incommunicado for over a month after participating in demonstrations.
The primary unanswered question remains the whereabouts and well-being of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo. Despite diplomatic efforts and legal action, Ugandan authorities maintain they do not have the activists in custody. The allegations of state involvement by human rights groups and opposition figures in Uganda suggest a complex and politically charged situation.
All eyes will be on the High Court of Uganda on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, as the habeas corpus application is heard. The outcome of this legal challenge could provide crucial information or compel authorities to disclose the activists' status. Continued diplomatic engagement between Kenya and Uganda, alongside sustained pressure from regional and international human rights bodies, will be vital in the coming days. The incident also highlights the broader issue of shrinking civic space and the safety of human rights defenders in the East African region.
