Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo say they were tortured and dehumanised during their 38 days of detention, which they believe took place in Ugandan military facilities.
“Thirty-eight days of abduction is not easy,” said Mr Njagi in Nairobi. He claimed that they had been abducted by the military and held under a special military command.
Kenyan activists Nicholas Oyoo (left) and Bob Njagi (right) who were detained in Uganda during a press conference at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on November 8, 2025 upon their return to the country.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“It has been difficult. We were tortured and dehumanised. I, myself, did not eat for 14 days. I was fasting,” he added.
Mr Oyoo said they are “traumatised but happy to be home” after a harrowing ordeal in the neighbouring country.
“At this point, we don’t want to say much because we have to undergo medical attention. We are traumatised, but we are happy to be home. I’m happy to be here,” he added. “There are things I might have taken for granted. Today, I may not take them for granted. I believe this is a moment, and all those moments are taking us forward.”
At the time of their arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, tens of fellow activists had gathered in solidarity. They stood close together, chanting “viva” in a steady rhythm. Their voices rose as they sang the national anthem and called out, “Shame on you, Museveni!” in reference to the Ugandan president.
According to Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, the two were released “after lengthy engagements.”
“They were handed over to our High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi. They were escorted by the ambassador and Ugandan government officials to the Busia border, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga,” he posted on social media.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, formally wrote to Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, General Jeje Odongo, urging Kampala to act swiftly in tracing the two Kenyans.
The first official protest was conveyed through a Note Verbale sent by Kenya’s High Commission in Kampala on October 3. The Sunday Nation understands that high-level negotiations leading to the activists’ release included intervention by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The activists’ families were horrified last month when a Ugandan court said it could not compel the government to produce them, citing lack of evidence that they were in custody.
According to Mr Njagi’s cousin, Ms Caren Kiarie, the family received a call around 10pm on Friday, informing them that the activists had been released and were already on their way to the Busia border.
“They were handed over to me by the Busia County Commissioner at around 2am,” said Ms Kiarie, who organised their transport and escorted them to Kisumu. She added that the activists had been escorted to the border by the Ugandan army before being handed over to Kenyan authorities.
Mr Nobert Ochieng, Mr Oyoo’s brother, told the Sunday Nation that the news brought immense relief to their family.
“It’s a great relief to the family. They might not be in good shape, but they are alive,” he said. “No one knew where they were or whether they were alive. My mother is happy that her son is alive. That was our biggest prayer.”
A couple of hours after arriving at the Kenya-Uganda border, the activists were escorted to a restroom in Kisumu to freshen up. They shaved their hair and changed into new clothes and shoes before heading to Kisumu International Airport for a flight to Nairobi.
When they addressed the media briefly in Kisumu, the two thanked Kenyans for their support.
“I want to thank Kenyans for their support. What we went through in Uganda is something I never imagined. I want to thank you all for fighting for our release. We probably would never have been here without you,” said Mr Oyoo.
“We have gone through a lot in the last 38 days. We will speak more after treatment,” said Mr Njagi.
Activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo who were held in Uganda for the last 38 days thank Kenyans for their support during their detention on November 8, 2025 at Kisumu International Airport.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation
When they landed at JKIA, they looked visibly shaken.
Mr Irungu Hougton, executive director for Amnesty International-Kenya, warned that disturbing trends in Tanzania and Uganda signal a rising threat to human rights, which could affect Uganda’s 2026 and Kenya’s 2027 general elections.
“We call on all people across East Africa to speak out. Tanzanians have demonstrated courage despite threats, and Ugandans and Kenyans must do the same. In solidarity, the people of East Africa must ensure that elections are free, fair, and democratic,” he said.
“Oppressive regimes thrive on our silence. An attack on one human rights defender is an attack on all defenders across Africa.”
Mr Hussein Khalid, executive director of Vocal Africa, revealed that the activists suffered physical torture, adding that the mental anguish endured by their families cannot be overlooked.
“The pain and fear their families went through day-to-day, not knowing if they were alive or safe, is unimaginable. Now that they are here, we thank God they are alive, and the long journey for justice begins,” he said.
Ms Betty Okero, vice chairperson of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, said the activists were arrested in Uganda while attending a rally for presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
Additional reporting by Shaban Makokha, Angeline Ochieng, Domnic Ombok and Gloria Valerie
