Family pleads for release of two activists abducted in Uganda

Nicholas Oyoo and his colleague Bob Njagi.[Courtesy] The family of Nicholas Oyoo, a Kenyan human rights activist, is appealing to the Ugandan government to release him and his colleague Bob Njagi, who were allegedly abducted in Uganda last week. Oyoo and Njagi, both members of the Free Kenya Movement, were reportedly seized by armed men driving a van on October 1 while refueling their car at a Stabex petrol station in Kireka, Kampala. Their vehicle bore a Kenyan number plate. According to the movement's national coordinator Felix Wambua, the duo was in the company of another Kenyan, Koffi Atandi, who escaped because he was not in the car at the time of the abduction. The three had traveled to Uganda to join two local activists in expressing solidarity with opposition leader Bobi Wine, who is campaigning ahead of next year's general elections. A video circulating online shows the two Kenyans at one of Bobi Wine's rallies. "It has been so difficult as a family. Even eating or sleeping is not easy because we just see the news that my son has been abducted in Uganda," said a tearful Roselyne, Nicholas's mother, during an interview at her son's home in Buruburu, Nairobi. "It is a very painful thing. Up to now, we have not heard anything. I even tried reaching out to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi through a friend, but so far, we have not received any response from the authorities," she added. Roselyne has now appealed to the Kenyan government to intervene and secure the release of the two men. "My appeal is for our government to talk to the Ugandan government so they can be released. I don't see any offence they have committed, they only attended Bobi Wine's rally. Is that really an offence?" she asked. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was in Uganda on Thursday for the country's Independence Day celebrations, but it remains unclear whether he discussed the activists' case with President Yoweri Museveni. Describing her son as "a very good person," Ochieng said Nicholas often drives her to hospital and helps with family errands. "It's really painful not to see your child for almost ten days and not know what is happening to him," she said. "I appeal to President Museveni and President Ruto to help bring back our son and his friend. They committed no crime other than attending a political rally."Nicholas's brother Nobert Ochieng said the family has made several attempts to trace the two without success. "We have visited many offices and knocked on many doors trying to get answers," he said. "On October 2, I reported the matter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on Monday, we sought an appointment with Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei."According to Nobert, the PS assured them that the two Kenyans were safe and promised that a statement would be issued within 24 hours. "To date, we have not received any update. Our lives are on hold because every day we keep checking for news," he said.Another sibling, Julius Ochieng, appealed to Opposition leaders to use their networks to push for the activists' release. "Leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, who once served as Foreign Affairs Minister, have regional connections and can reach out to secure their freedom," he said.As the family continues to wait anxiously, they are urging both governments to act swiftly, saying the silence surrounding the two activists' disappearance has only deepened their fear. "We just want them home," said Roselyne. "Every mother deserves to know where her child is."

Family pleads for release of two activists abducted in Uganda

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