The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the reported abduction of two Kenyan human rights defenders, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, in Kampala, Uganda, calling the incident “a grave violation of international human rights norms and a threat to regional civic freedoms”.
The two activists, affiliated with the Free Kenya Movement, were reportedly abducted on September 30, 2025, while attending a political campaign rally organized by Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Human Rights Message
In a joint statement dated October 2, 2025, and signed by LSK President Faith Odhiambo and VOCAL Africa’s Executive Director Grace Muthoni, the organizations demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the activists and called on both the Kenyan and Ugandan governments to uphold their obligations under international law.
“The abduction of Kenyan citizens on foreign soil, particularly while engaging in peaceful political activity, is not only unlawful but a direct affront to the principles of human dignity, freedom of expression, and regional cooperation,” read part of the statement.
Odhiambo called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala to urgently intervene and demand accountability from Ugandan authorities.
“Kenyan citizens cannot be targeted across borders for their activism. This undermines the spirit of the East African Community and the democratic values we claim to uphold.”
VOCAL Africa, which has been closely monitoring the situation, confirmed that the activists were taken from a Stabex Petrol Station in Kireka, Kampala, by four armed men in civilian clothing.
Kenya’s Demands to the Ugandan Government
In response to the abduction, Kenya, through the respective civil society and legal bodies, has outlined a series of urgent demands to the Ugandan government:
- Immediate Disclosure: Uganda must reveal the activists’ whereabouts and confirm their safety.
- Consular Access: The Kenyan High Commission in Kampala must be granted access to the detained activists.
- Legal Due Process: If arrested, the activists must be presented in court within 24 hours and be allowed legal representation.
- Unconditional Release: The civil society groups are demanding their immediate release, citing unlawful detention.
- Diplomatic Accountability: Kenya is expected to issue a formal diplomatic note demanding that Uganda uphold regional human rights standards.
Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo’s Abduction Explained
A witness, whose identity has been withheld for safety reasons, described the moment of the abduction:
“They were four of them. There was also a lady seated in front. They took Bob and Oyoo. I told them my car is not locked, I cannot go to where I don’t know, and then they asked me to just get out and lock my car.”
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Shortly after the incident, the activists’ phones were switched off, and their colleagues were left stranded, unable to locate them.
“I don’t know where Bob Njagi is. I don’t know which police station he has been taken to. I honestly don’t know where he is. I’m just stranded here.”
Regional Alarm
The timing of the abduction, just a day after Bob Njagi was seen on stage with Bobi Wine in Kamuli, has raised suspicions of political targeting.
Bobi Wine issued a statement condemning the incident and attributing it to his political endeavours.
“The criminal regime apparently abducted them simply for associating with me and expressing solidarity with our cause.”
This incident adds to a growing list of cross-border detentions and deportations involving East African activists.
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Earlier in 2025, Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire were arrested in Tanzania and later dumped near their respective borders.
In 2024, Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye and activist Hajji Lutale were arrested in Nairobi and deported to Uganda under questionable circumstances.
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