In a dramatic turn of events that has dominated Kenyan headlines, human rights activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are finally back on Kenyan soil after enduring 38 days in secret military detention in Uganda.
Their release has been met with relief by their families and human rights advocates, but the saga has exposed diplomatic fissures between Nairobi and Kampala, especially following startling revelations about their captivity and direct claims from none other than Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni himself.
The Long Road Home and Harrowing Tales
Njagi and Oyoo, leaders of the "Free Kenyan Movement," were reportedly abducted by armed men on October 1, 2025, in Uganda after attending an event for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine. For over a month, the Ugandan government and its security agencies repeatedly denied holding them, leaving families and the Kenyan government in the dark.
Upon their arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over the weekend, the activists recounted a harrowing ordeal involving torture and starvation at the Kasenyi
Military Barracks. "We didn't think we were going to come out alive," Njagi told the media, crediting diplomatic efforts, including an intervention by former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, for their freedom.
Museveni's Claims: "Experts in Riots"
The controversy deepened when President Museveni, in a Saturday evening radio interview, confirmed their arrest and offered an official explanation: he claimed the two were working with Bobi Wine's National Unity Platform (NUP) as "experts in riots" and had been advising the opposition on strategies for street demonstrations.
This assertion contradicts earlier denials by the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) and has sparked outrage among Kenyans, with many on social media questioning how the Kenyan government can "thank a criminal for crimes committed".
A Broader Regional Concern: Kenyans in Tanzania
The incident in Uganda is not an isolated case and follows reports of similar challenges for Kenyan citizens in neighboring Tanzania. Concerns have been raised about rights violations and arrests in Tanzania, particularly involving individuals linked to opposition activities or advocacy efforts.
Recent reports indicate that two other Kenyans arrested during protests in Tanzania have also been released after public uproar and diplomatic engagement. The Kenyan government, through Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, has engaged in talks with Tanzanian officials to ensure the safety and fair treatment of Kenyans residing there.