KAMPALA, Uganda — Six days after two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, were reportedly abducted in broad daylight in Kampala, Ugandan authorities have finally addressed the disappearances. Their response, however, has intensified concerns about rising cross-border repression within the East African region.
Uganda Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke denied that the missing individuals were in police custody during a press briefing.
“Kenyan activists who came to join a rally in Uganda and are alleged to have disappeared — I am not briefed by police that they have them in our custody,” Rusoke stated.
“At the moment, I don’t have any information to the effect that they are in police custody, nor do I have any information that they are accused by police. If I had, I would volunteer it here without any reservation.”
Rusoke further maintained that no formal report concerning the disappearance of the two men had been filed with the police.
“I also don’t know if it has been reported formally that they are lost or missing persons. I don’t have that information,” he said.
Legal challenge and regional concerns
Despite the police denial, two Ugandan lawyers, backed by human rights activists, have filed a Habeas Corpus application in the High Court’s Civil Division in Kampala. The legal action seeks to compel Ugandan authorities to present the two missing Kenyans in court.
The petition names several top security officials as respondents, including the Chief of Defence Forces, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of Uganda. Petitioners allege the activists are being detained at an intelligence facility in Mbuya.
Ugandan lawyer Kato Tumusiime explicitly linked the detentions to political suppression.
“We believe these people were abducted because they had come to show solidarity with an opposition presidential candidate,” Tumusiime asserted.
He warned that this action indicated a widening regional problem: “The Museveni government is fearful of such solidarity. It is now a regional problem affecting East African Community members.”
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Human rights activist James Ssuna echoed this warning, stating the incident reflects a growing trend of repression across East Africa.
“We believe this is a trend that cannot be ignored. East African leaders have gone ahead to threaten our existence — they are not only arresting politicians and farmers, they are also targeting activists,” he said.
Diplomatic pressure from Kenya
In Nairobi, the families of Njagi and Oyoo, supported by various human rights groups, condemned both the Ugandan and Kenyan governments. They described the abductions as a systematic attack on civilians and a grave violation of the principles of the East African Community.
Nobert Ochieng, Oyoo’s brother, issued an urgent appeal for action.
“We call upon the government of Uganda to disclose their whereabouts and release them without delay. We also call upon the government of Kenya to assert its diplomatic responsibility and secure their release,” he said.
Hussein Khalid, Executive Director of Vocal Africa, highlighted the legal ramifications of the incommunicado detention.
“LSK, Vocal Africa and Amnesty International Kenya express concern that despite public outrage and ongoing diplomatic engagement, the two remain held incommunicado — a blatant violation of Ugandan and international human rights law,” he stated.
Following the pressure, the families and activists met with Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei, who reportedly assured them that the Kenyan government is actively working to secure the immediate release of the two missing nationals.
