The disappearance of two Kenyan activists in Uganda raises regional alarm. Image credit: BBC via Bobi Wine/X.
(The Post News) – Concerns are growing after the disappearance of two Kenyan human rights defenders while visiting Uganda. Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo were last seen attending a political event connected to opposition figure Bobi Wine.
Witnesses say the two men were taken by armed individuals near a fuel station, forced into a vehicle, and driven away. Their location remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Ugandan authorities say they are not holding Njagi and Oyoo, while officials in Kenya have stated they are unaware of the situation.
Bobi Wine, who is preparing to run for president in Uganda’s upcoming election, believes the activists were targeted because of their support for his campaign.
As a result, the incident has drawn strong reactions from rights groups in Kenya, who are calling for the immediate release of Njagi and Oyoo. Many fear this disappearance may be part of a wider pattern of silencing voices critical of governments in the region.
Across East Africa, concerns about shrinking civic space have steadily grown. Moreover, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have all come under international scrutiny for their treatment of political opponents and civil society groups.
In addition, organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and CIVICUS have published detailed reports documenting enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and harassment of activists in the region.
Eyewitness accounts describe how four armed individuals, including one woman, forced the two men into a vehicle. Since then, their phones have been unreachable, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Videos shared online show Njagi actively participating in campaign activities, including standing beside Bobi Wine on stage. The activists had arrived in Uganda earlier in the week and joined the campaign shortly after.
This is not the first time Njagi has faced such danger. Last year, he was taken by masked men in Kenya and held for weeks before being released following a court order.
Furthermore, their disappearance echoes other troubling cases in East Africa. Earlier this year, activists from Kenya and Uganda were detained in Tanzania and later abandoned at border points after reporting mistreatment.
Disappearance echoes troubling cases across East Africa
Similarly, in another case, a Ugandan opposition leader vanished in Nairobi and later appeared in a military court facing serious charges.
Ultimately, these incidents have sparked fears that governments in the region may be working together to suppress political opposition and activism.
Consequently, many are now calling for transparency, accountability, and protection for those who speak out.
Please share your thoughts contact Thembeka via email: Journalist-thembeka@thepostnews.net
About the Author
