United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has called for urgent action from the Ugandan government following the disappearance of two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were allegedly abducted in Kampala on October 1, 2025.
In a statement released on Friday, Lawlor said she was “deeply disturbed by the reported continued disappearance” of the activists, urging Ugandan authorities to investigate and ensure their safe release. “Ugandan authorities must investigate and secure the safe release of Bob and Nicholas,” she stated.
The two human rights defenders had reportedly travelled to Uganda to attend a consultative meeting with opposition leader Bobi Wine and other members of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Witnesses claim that unidentified armed men forced the activists into a waiting vehicle before speeding away. Their phones were switched off shortly after the incident, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has backed Lawlor’s call, stating, “KHRC endorses this statement by Mary Lawlor and reiterates that the Uganda regime must free Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo.”
Regional and international human rights groups have joined the call for accountability, demanding that Uganda explain the circumstances surrounding the activists’ disappearance.
Ugandan Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke has denied any involvement, saying no records indicate the two Kenyans are in police custody.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it has reached out to Ugandan authorities through the Kenya High Commission in Kampala, requesting urgent clarification. The diplomatic note urged Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with internal security agencies to locate the missing activists and provide an official update.
As pressure mounts, human rights defenders across East Africa are calling for transparency and immediate action to ensure the safety of Njagi and Oyoo.
