Kenyan Activists Rescued from Uganda After Five Weeks of Disappearance

Sat Nov 08 2025 17:08:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After five weeks of uncertainty, two Kenyan activists who went missing in Uganda while supporting opposition leader Bobi Wine have been found safe. Their disappearance sparked widespread concern and calls for human rights accountability in East Africa.

Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, two Kenyan activists missing for five weeks in Uganda, have been located unharmed. Their initial abduction at a political event drew condemnation from human rights organizations. Activist organizations have hailed their safe return as a pivotal moment for human rights in the region, while concerns regarding state repression of dissent continue to grow.

Human rights groups in Kenya report that Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, two activists who disappeared five weeks ago in Uganda, have been discovered alive and well. Eyewitness accounts confirmed that the activists were seized by masked men after they attended a political rally for Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.

On Saturday, the activist organization Vocal Africa announced their safety, stating they are being transported from Busia, Uganda, to Nairobi, Kenya. Their disappearance had catalyzed significant attention concerning human rights in the East African region.

'Let this moment signal an important shift towards upholding the human rights of East Africans anywhere in the East African Community,' Vocal Africa stated on their Instagram page.

While Ugandan police denied holding the activists, Kenyan rights organizations pressed authorities for their release. Vocal Africa, along with the Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International, expressed gratitude toward the governments, activists, journalists, and citizens who pressed for their safe return.

In the backdrop of a politically charged atmosphere, former pop star Bobi Wine is challenging the long-time presidency of Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled since 1986. Wine accused the Ugandan government of targeting Njagi and Oyoo for their association with him, reflecting broader tensions between the authorities and politicians in the region.

These recent events mirror a troubling trend of enforced disappearances of opposition figures in East Africa, raising alarms about collaboration among governments to suppress dissent. Past incidents have seen activists and politicians face similar fates, leading to widespread calls for justice and accountability.