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The two activists' release was the result of high-level negotiations, including interventions by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and the persistent advocacy of civil society groups.
In a statement, PS Sing’Oei said the pair were released to Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Joash Maangi, and escorted by Ugandan officials to the Busia border, where they were received by Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga.
In his ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Baguma said the arguments raised by Besigye and his lawyers did not meet the required standard under Article 137(5)(b) of the Constitution to justify a reference to the Constitutional Court.
Among the petitioners is a refugee officially registered in Kenya and serving as Director of the Community Support Initiative for Refugees. He told the court that he had travelled from Nairobi to Kisumu to join the delegation and spend the night with them at the training venue before the incident occurred.
The hand-over coincided with the launch of a major new facility at the Gaddafi Military Barracks, Magamaga and the beginning of construction of a related workshop in Entebbe.
The activists’ lawyers had claimed Njagi and Oyoo were held without communication at a military facility in Mbuya for more than two days, arguing this violated their constitutional rights to freedom and due process.
Museveni, 80, who has led Uganda since 1986, aims to extend his presidency toward nearly 50 years. His administration has amended the constitution twice, first eliminating term limits and later removing the age ceiling for presidents, allowing him to continue his tenure.
The ruling comes after two Ugandan advocates filed a petition on October 6, seeking the court’s intervention for the activists’ release. According to the application, Njagi and Oyoo were allegedly arrested on October 1 in Kaliro District in Eastern Uganda and transported to a military facility in Mbuya, Kampala.
The families’ appeal comes at a time when diplomatic communication between Kenya and Uganda has yielded no clear answers. Human rights organisations have criticised what they term a slow response by authorities, especially after Ugandan police denied having the two in custody.
Rights groups noted that these facilities have a history of unlawful detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. They warned that the activists’ incommunicado detention has already exceeded Uganda’s legal 48-hour limit, breaching their rights to liberty, a fair trial, and protection from cruel treatment.
UNP Spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma said there were no reports indicating that the two were in police custody following their disappearance on September 30, 2025.
In a statement issued on October 3, 2025, the Commission confirmed it had reached out to Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with local authorities and secure information that could lead to the safe release of the activists.