Civil societies call for resignation of Mudavadi, Kenya's Ambassador to Uganda over missing activists

Human rights activists are now calling for the immediate resignation of Foreign Affairs Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Kenya's current Ambassador to Uganda Joash Maangi over failure to address the whereabouts of activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo.

The civil society groups also allege that the duo is being tortured in solitary confinement in the neighbouring country, with Tuesday marking 36 days since the activists were abducted.

Fellow activists held demonstrations in solidarity with their colleagues at the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi to push the Ugandan authorities to release the duo they claim is being held in Uganda.

“We will not lose hope in seeking justice, even if it means going to Uganda,” said Kongamano la Mapinduzi activist Mark Amien.

“They continue to remain quiet... we demand answers from this government,” Free Kenya Activist Florence Kanyua stated.

Amien added, “They have not solved the Njagi and Oyoo issue to date, yet they are directly involved.”

The human rights activists, who claim that the health of Njagi and Oyoo is deteriorating, say they will not relent in demanding justice for their colleagues.

“Tunasikia uchungu sana kama wamama ambao hawana mawasiliano na wapendwa wao,” Mothers of Victims Network Joyce Shikami said.

Oyoo and Njagi are reported to have been abducted on October 1 in Uganda by armed men believed to be security officials, even as the High Court of Uganda ruled that the two activists will be categorised as ‘missing persons’.

Judge Simon Peter Kinobe, in a ruling on October 22, stated that the accusations presented against the government of Uganda lacks merit, as arguments presented before the court have failed to incriminate the accused parties.

The two activists, who had joined National Unity Platform presidential candidate Bobi Wine’s campaign trail, were reportedly forced into a vehicle and their phones switched off.

Activists and human rights groups in Kenya have been calling for speedy investigations to release the duo.