Speaking in a past interview, Senator Onyonka reflected on the dramatic events of 1978, when a young Museveni—then a fugitive escaping the rule of Uganda’s President Milton Obote—found refuge in their family home in Kisii.
The revelation resurfaced amid renewed diplomatic debate triggered by Uganda’s recent arrest of two Kenyan activists. Onyonka used the anecdote to highlight his father’s bold decision during a tense political era in East Africa.
Zachary Onyonka, who served in key ministries including Education, Trade, and Foreign Affairs under Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi, was one of the most influential political figures in post-independence Kenya. His role in Kenya’s early foreign policy positioned him at the center of regional political dynamics.
Onyonka’s son recalled that when Museveni fled to Kenya in 1978, the situation was extremely sensitive.
Museveni had been part of armed resistance movements against the Obote government. Hosting him, therefore, carried diplomatic and personal risks.
“The question I want to ask the Ugandan President is this: in 1978 he walked into my home in Kisii,” Senator Onyonka recounted.
“The question I want to ask the Ugandan President is this: in 1978 he walked into my home in Kisii,” Senator Onyonka recounted.
“My father was a minister in the government at that time. Museveni needed to be kept and hidden away from Obote’s people.”
He added that the situation was even more precarious because Museveni had come along with several Ugandans, including teachers who worked in a school owned by Onyonka’s father.
“What would have happened if all of them had been killed? What would have happened if my father handed over Museveni to Obote because at that time it was the most convenient political move?” he posed.
Onyonka said the act demonstrated his father’s commitment to regional stability and humanitarian values—long before Museveni became Uganda’s longest-serving leader.
The senator’s historical account followed President Museveni’s comments on the controversial arrest of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo.
He added that the situation was even more precarious because Museveni had come along with several Ugandans, including teachers who worked in a school owned by Onyonka’s father.
“What would have happened if all of them had been killed? What would have happened if my father handed over Museveni to Obote because at that time it was the most convenient political move?” he posed.
Onyonka said the act demonstrated his father’s commitment to regional stability and humanitarian values—long before Museveni became Uganda’s longest-serving leader.
The senator’s historical account followed President Museveni’s comments on the controversial arrest of Kenyan activists Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo.
The two disappeared on October 1, 2025, after traveling to Uganda to express solidarity with opposition leader Bobi Wine’s team ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.
Museveni later confirmed that the activists had been detained based on intelligence reports alleging that they were working with opposition groups “as experts in riots.”
Museveni later confirmed that the activists had been detained based on intelligence reports alleging that they were working with opposition groups “as experts in riots.”
The duo was eventually released on November 7 after a month-long detention.
Njagi and Oyoo were handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Kampala, Joash Maangi, before being escorted to Busia, where they were received by County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei praised the Kenyan mission for securing their release, stating:
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda. They were escorted by officials of the Ugandan government and handed over safely in Busia.”
Upon returning to Nairobi, Njagi narrated the harrowing experience he and his colleague endured while in detention.
“Thirty-eight days of abduction were not easy. We didn’t think we would come out alive,” he said.
Njagi and Oyoo were handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Kampala, Joash Maangi, before being escorted to Busia, where they were received by County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei praised the Kenyan mission for securing their release, stating:
“Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda. They were escorted by officials of the Ugandan government and handed over safely in Busia.”
Upon returning to Nairobi, Njagi narrated the harrowing experience he and his colleague endured while in detention.
“Thirty-eight days of abduction were not easy. We didn’t think we would come out alive,” he said.
“We were held in military detention under the Special Forces Command. We will share details after medical attention. We hadn’t eaten for some fourteen days, and it was extremely difficult.”
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