Lawyers File Urgent Petition for Release of Two Kenyans Detained in Uganda
A petition has been lodged at the High Court of Uganda in Kampala, demanding the immediate release of two Kenyan nationals, Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi, who are reportedly being held in military detention following their arrest on October 1, 2025. The two men were apprehended in Kaliro District, eastern Uganda, while accompanying Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, during his campaign trail. The arrest has sparked concerns over human rights violations, prompting a Habeas Corpus application filed by M/S Kiiza & Mugisha Advocates on behalf of the detainees.
The petition names several high-ranking Ugandan security officials as respondents, including the Chief of Defence Forces, the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of Uganda. According to court documents, Oyoo and Njagi are being held incommunicado at a military facility in Mbuya, Kampala, under the authority of the Chief of Defence Intelligence and Security. The petitioners argue that this detention is unlawful and violates both Ugandan constitutional protections and international human rights standards.
A supporting affidavit by Koffi Atinda, a Kenyan national and friend of the detainees, provides a firsthand account of the incident. Atinda states that he witnessed the arrest at Starbex Petrol Station in Kaliro District. He describes how Oyoo and Njagi were forcibly taken by individuals dressed in both military and civilian attire and bundled into a Toyota Hiace van, commonly known as a "Drone," before being driven toward Kampala. Atinda's affidavit expresses deep concern for the safety of the detainees, citing fears that they may be subjected to torture or other forms of inhumane treatment while in custody.
The petition alleges that the arrest was carried out without a warrant, rendering it arbitrary and unlawful. Furthermore, the continued detention of Oyoo and Njagi without being presented in court within 48 hours is described as a direct violation of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty, due process, and protection from arbitrary detention. The lawyers assert that the detention infringes on the detainees' fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, dignity, and protection from torture.
The Habeas Corpus application seeks a court order to compel the respondents to produce Oyoo and Njagi in court and provide legal justification for their detention. The petitioners are also requesting the immediate and unconditional release of the two Kenyans, arguing that their detention constitutes a blatant abuse of their rights. The lawyers emphasize that the failure to bring the detainees before a court within the constitutionally mandated timeframe underscores the urgency of the matter.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of arbitrary arrests and detentions in Uganda, particularly in the context of political activities. The detention of Oyoo and Njagi, who were accompanying an opposition leader, raises questions about the treatment of individuals associated with political campaigns in the country.
As the High Court prepares to hear the petition, the families and colleagues of Oyoo and Njagi anxiously await a resolution, hoping for their swift release and an end to what they describe as an unjust and unlawful detention. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Uganda.