Kenyan human rights activist Bob Njagi has alleged that he and his colleague Nicholas Oyoo were tortured during a 38-day detention in Uganda. The two were freed on Friday night after what Njagi described as a harrowing ordeal in a military camp reportedly run by Uganda’s special forces.
Speaking to journalists upon his return to Kenya, Njagi claimed they endured dehumanising conditions, including inadequate food.
“We’ve not been eating for about 14 days. I have been fasting,” he said, adding that the food they were offered “was not good.”
Njagi and Oyoo were allegedly abducted on October 1 in Kaliro District, Uganda, while monitoring an opposition campaign event for Bobi Wine. Their disappearance sparked widespread concern among regional human rights organisations and activists.
Confirming their release, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the duo’s return was the result of “sustained diplomatic engagement” between Kenya and Uganda.
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda,” he stated.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, welcomed their release, describing it as a significant victory for human rights defenders in the region.
“We welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi after 38 days of enforced disappearance. Let this moment signal an important shift towards upholding the human rights of East Africans anywhere within the East African Community,” Odhiambo said in a statement on X.
Odhiambo also extended gratitude to the activists’ families, Free Kenya Movement, VOCAL Africa, Amnesty Kenya, journalists, and foreign ministries that campaigned for their freedom.
Njagi noted that more details of their ordeal would be released after they receive medical attention. Meanwhile, rights groups are urging a thorough investigation into the incident and calling for stronger regional safeguards against cross-border repression in East Africa.
