Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were released from Uganda on November 7 after being held for 38 days under unclear circumstances. Their detention, which began on October 1 in Kira, Kampala, was reportedly aimed at preventing the two Kenyans from engaging in political activities perceived as opposition to President Yoweri Museveni.
Speaking after Njagi’s return, his father, Frank Njagi, disclosed that Ugandan authorities had initially planned to detain the two until after the country’s January elections. “We were told that the intention was to keep them in custody until after the elections. We had to promise that once released, he would never go back to Uganda to campaign for President Museveni’s opponents,” Njagi’s father said.
The family revealed that Ugandan officials demanded written assurances that Njagi would refrain from political activities across the border. The negotiations were tense and involved both diplomatic and personal interventions.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is reported to have been among the influential figures who reached out to Ugandan President Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to facilitate the release. Museveni’s spouse, Janet Museveni, was also involved in the discussions.
Kenya’s government confirmed its role in securing Njagi and Oyoo’s release. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said Nairobi had written to Kampala seeking information about the two Kenyans’ whereabouts and had liaised directly with Ugandan Foreign Affairs Minister Odongo Abubakar.
Recalling his ordeal, Njagi said they were held by military officers operating under a special command and kept in undisclosed locations. “We had been abducted by the military, who kept us under a special unit. We never knew we would make it back home,” he said.
Njagi and Oyoo were finally handed over to Kenyan authorities at the Busia Border on November 7, marking the end of their 38-day detention in Uganda.
