Human rights groups in Kenya report that Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, two activists who disappeared in Uganda five weeks ago, have been found alive and well.
Witnesses claimed to have seen the men being forced into a vehicle by masked, uniformed men after a political event where they were supporting Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine.
On Saturday, Vocal Africa, an activist organization, confirmed that the two men were safe and being transported from Busia in Uganda to Nairobi, Kenya.
In a statement on Instagram, Vocal Africa expressed hope that this moment would signify a positive change in the treatment of human rights for East Africans within the East African Community.
Despite the men's return, Ugandan police previously denied having them in custody. However, the Kenyan rights organization's advocacy efforts led to their release.
A coalition including Vocal Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, and Amnesty International thanked all those involved in the campaign for their safe return, including governments, journalists, and citizens.
Bobi Wine, an ex-pop star now running for the presidency against the long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni, accused the Ugandan government of targeting the two Kenyan activists for supporting him.
Weaving through the story of Njagi and Oyoo are narratives of past disappearances involving political supporters and activists in the region. There is growing fear that East African governments may be collaborating to suppress dissent.
This incident mirrors previous cases, including Njagi's earlier abduction in Kenya, which followed a wave of similar incidents targeting government critics.
The urgent call for more robust protections highlights the precarious nature of activism in East Africa, where political oppression remains a persistent issue.
