Kenyan Activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo Freed After 38 Days in Ugandan Custody

 Kenyan human rights defenders Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo have finally been released from a Ugandan prison. The two men, who had been held for 38 days without formal charges, walked free following sustained pressure from Kenyan authorities and international human rights organisations.

The ordeal began on August 23rd, when Njagi and Oyoo, both affiliated with the social justice organization Usawa Inc., were arrested in the eastern Ugandan district of Pallisa. Their mission was to document alleged human rights abuses against the Benet community, an indigenous group facing ongoing land conflicts and evictions from the Mount Elgon National Park.

According to their colleagues and legal team, the activists were initially detained on allegations of “espionage,” a serious charge that their supporters vehemently denied. They argued that Njagi and Oyoo were engaged in legitimate and peaceful human rights work, a right protected under both Ugandan and international law.

For over a month, the two men were shuttled between police stations and prisons, their detention repeatedly extended by the Ugandan authorities without being formally presented in court to face charges. This prolonged detention without trial sparked outrage back in Kenya and raised alarm bells among human rights watchdogs.

The turning point came as a result of concerted diplomatic efforts. The Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its High Commission in Kampala, reportedly engaged in high-level talks with Ugandan officials. This diplomatic channel, coupled with a vocal campaign by Kenyan civil society and media attention, created significant pressure for their release.

Usawa Inc. confirmed the news of their release, expressing profound relief while also highlighting the traumatic nature of their detention. The organization stated that the two activists are now receiving psychosocial support to help them recover from their ordeal.

The case of Njagi and Oyoo has cast a spotlight on the challenges faced by activists operating in the East African Community, where cross-border solidarity can sometimes be misconstrued as interference. While the Ugandan government has not issued a detailed statement on the reasons for their arrest or subsequent release, their freedom is being hailed as a victory for citizen advocacy and diplomatic engagement.

“This is a testament to what can be achieved when we stand together for justice,” a representative from Usawa Inc. remarked. “Bob and Nicholas were simply doing their job—giving a voice to the voiceless. We are grateful to everyone who amplified their story and to the Kenyan government for heeding our call to action.”

As they return to their families in Kenya, the focus now shifts to their well-being and the broader implications of their detention. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks human rights defenders continue to face and the ongoing need to vigilantly protect civic space across the region.