The Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) has denied allegations that it is detaining two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who were allegedly abducted in Uganda.
Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi were arrested early on October 1 and whisked away shortly after they attended a political rally of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
In his affidavit, Col. Silas Kamanda, a Director at the Joint Staff Legal Services, speaking on behalf of the UPDF, stated that thorough investigations have established that the two activists are not in the army’s custody.
UPDF Denies Detaining Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo at the Army Base
He added that the military has searched all relevant detention facilities and records, including lock-up registers and custody logs, and found no entries relating to the activists.
“I, Silas Kamanda, a Colonel in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, currently serving as a Director at the Joint Staff Legal Services for and on behalf of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, in obedience to the writ herein, do satisfy and return that Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi are not in the custody of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces,” the declaration read in part.
“We have carried out investigations and searched all relevant detention facilities and records, including lockup registers and custody records, and found no entry relating to the said Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi between October 1, 2025, to date.”
This comes after Uganda’s High Court judge, Justice Peter Kinobe, on Tuesday, October 14, directed the Ugandan government to produce the two activists — whether dead or alive — within seven days, which lapsed on October 21.
The decision followed a habeas corpus case filed by two Ugandan lawyers representing the activists.
Also Read: Gunmen Abduct Kenyan Activists in Uganda
Earlier, the Uganda Police Force denied the abduction allegations amid growing calls for the release of the two activists.
Uganda National Police (UNP) spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told journalists that there was no record of the two being in police custody.
“I am not briefed by the police that they are in our custody. At the moment, I don’t have any information to that effect, nor do I have any information that they are accused by the police. If I had, I would volunteer it here without any reservation,” said Rusoke.
He added that the police had not received any official report regarding the disappearance of the two activists.
“I also don’t know if it has been reported formally that they are lost or missing persons. I don’t have that information,” he said.
Rights Group Petitions Museveni to Release the Activists
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Vocal Africa have launched a global campaign demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the Kenyan activists.
The rights group is rallying international support through an online campaign urging citizens worldwide to write to President Yoweri Museveni and demand the immediate disclosure of the activists’ whereabouts.
“We are petitioning the Attorney General to seek legal advice on how to proceed with the case. It is now 20 days since they were abducted, and we want citizens in Kenya and Africa to work together to end abductions,” FKM activist Wambua noted.
Also Read: LSK Breaks Silence on Abduction of 2 Kenyan Human Rights Activists in Uganda
Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton said the continued incommunicado detention of the two Kenyans amounts to an enforced disappearance and urged the government to step in.
“We are calling on the Kenyan government to extend its responsibility to citizens to guarantee their right to legal representation and communication with their families. The fact that they have been held incommunicado is essentially an enforced disappearance,” Houghton said.
Amnesty International has also called for an independent investigation and accountability for those behind the abductions.
“We are also calling for investigations into the circumstances of their abduction, and those responsible must be held accountable. We are also calling for the upholding of all rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,” Houghton added.
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released a statement disclosing that it had sought information on the whereabouts of Njagi and Oyoo.
Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei confirmed that Kenya’s Mission in Uganda had taken up the matter with the local authorities.
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