Families of Kenyan activists abducted in Uganda record statements with KNCHR

One week after their abduction in Kampala, Uganda, the whereabouts of activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo remain unknown despite pressure from the government, families, and human rights organisations.

The family, accompanied by activists, on Tuesday took their complaints to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), urging the commission to probe the matter and exert pressure on the government to do more to have the two released.

Oyoo’s family and Koffi Atinda, who survived the abduction trap, recorded a statement with KNCHR before they expressed their frustration.

“They have promised to follow up with their counterparts in Uganda. We are hopeful that it will happen. We are still awaiting feedback from the Ministry. We met the PS last evening, but we feel that it is still dragging," said Nobert Ochieng, Oyoo’s brother.

Ochieng says the events of last Wednesday have left the families in distress, with each passing day without their presence adding pain and anguish.

“My mum is not very young, 74 years old. Obviously, age comes with a bit of diseases, and she has not been very well. I have also received reports that Bob’s mum, who was in hospital before the incident, has gotten worse because of the incident," Oyoo lamented.

Another of Oyoo’s relatives, Elsie Oyoo, added, “So that we can respect the rule of law, we would like for Nicholas and Bob to come back. Bring them back, and if there is a problem, take them to court.”

With diplomatic correspondence between Nairobi and Kampala failing to bear fruit so far, human rights organisations have questioned the government’s commitment to rescue the two after the Uganda police denied holding them.

“It is high time that the two countries read from the same script, and we be told the truth and the way forward," stated lawyer John Maina.

The Uganda High Court has directed that the habeas corpus case filed by lawyers and activists seeking to compel top security officers to produce Njagi and Oyoo will be heard on October 14th.

Uganda Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke on Monday denied that the missing individuals were in police custody.

“Kenyan activists who came to join a rally in Uganda and are alleged to have disappeared — I am not briefed by police that they have them in our custody,” Rusoke said.

“At the moment, I don’t have any information to the effect that they are in police custody, nor do I have any information that they are accused by police. If I had, I would volunteer it here without any reservation.”

Meanwhile, in Tanzania, the family of former Tanzanian Ambassador to Cuba, Humphrey Polepole, have continued to demand his release a day after he was reportedly abducted from his home in Dar es Salaam.

The alleged abduction of Polepole, a former ally turned critic of President Samia Suluhu’s government, has pointed to a disturbing trend in the region.