Two Kenyan activists who vanished in Uganda five weeks ago have finally been found safe, bringing relief to their families and human rights groups who had been searching for answers.
Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were last seen being bundled into a car by masked men shortly after attending a political event in support of Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. Their sudden disappearance sparked concern across East Africa, with many fearing the worst.
This weekend, the organisation Vocal Africa confirmed that the two men were alive and being transported from the Ugandan border town of Busia back to Nairobi. In their message announcing the news, the group called the moment a significant step toward protecting the rights of East Africans across the region.
Ugandan authorities had consistently denied holding the activists, even as Kenyan groups pushed for their release. After widespread pressure, the activists’ safe return has been hailed as a victory for cross-border solidarity. Several human rights organisations jointly expressed gratitude to everyone—from governments to journalists and everyday citizens—who kept demanding answers.
Bobi Wine, who is challenging President Yoweri Museveni in next year’s election, accused Ugandan authorities of targeting Njagi and Oyoo because of their association with him. Uganda’s security agencies have long faced criticism for arresting opposition supporters using unmarked vehicles and plain-clothed officers. Many who disappear later reappear in court, facing criminal charges.
This incident is just one of many troubling cases across East Africa. Last year, Njagi himself was abducted in Kenya and went missing for a month before a court ordered authorities to produce him. He later shared disturbing details about being kept in isolation and denied basic necessities.
Earlier this year, another pair of well-known activists—one Kenyan and one Ugandan—were detained in Tanzania, held without communication, and later dumped at their respective borders. They later revealed they had suffered severe mistreatment, accusations that were quickly dismissed by the authorities.
There have been several similar disappearances involving opposition figures, including a prominent Ugandan politician who vanished in Nairobi and resurfaced days later in a Ugandan military court facing treason charges.
These cases have renewed fears that governments in the region may be working together to silence critics, raising serious concerns about safety, political freedom, and human rights in East Africa.